Runyon Canyon Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Runyon Canyon Park |
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Paved path between Vista Street & Mulholland Trailhead
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| Type | Urban park |
| Location | Hollywood, Los Angeles, California |
| Area | 160 acres (65 ha) |
| Created | 1984 |
| Operated by | Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks |
| Status | Open all year |
Runyon Canyon Park is a large, 160-acre (65 ha) park in Los Angeles, California. It sits at the eastern end of the Santa Monica Mountains. The Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks manages this popular park. It's a favorite spot for hiking and enjoying amazing views of the city.
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History of Runyon Canyon Park
Runyon Canyon Park became a public park in 1984. The city of Los Angeles bought it from its last private owners. Before that, the land had a long and interesting past.
Early Days and First Owners
Long ago, this area was known as "No Man's Canyon." It was a seasonal camping spot for the local Tongva people. They hunted in the area, which they called the Nopalera.
In 1867, a man named "Greek George" Caralambo received the land. He got it from the government for his service in the United States Camel Corps. He became famous when a bandit, Tiburcio Vasquez, was caught hiding at his home in 1874.
Later, Alfredo Solano, a civil engineer, bought the canyon. He held it as an investment.
The Runyon Family and the Park's Name
In 1919, Carman Runyon bought most of the land. He had retired from a coal business. Runyon and his wife loved to ride horses and hunt in the canyon. They built a small house near the Fuller Avenue entrance. The canyon, a road, and a drive were all named after Carman Runyon.
The McCormack Mansion
In 1930, John McCormack, a world-famous Irish singer, bought the estate. He loved the property after filming a movie there. McCormack built a grand mansion called "San Patrizio." He and his wife lived there until 1938. You can still see parts of old gardens below the Vista gates.
When McCormack was away, famous people like Janet Gaynor and Charles Boyer sometimes rented the mansion. McCormack later gave the estate back to Carman Runyon. He hoped to return, but World War II prevented it. McCormack passed away in 1945.
The Pines and Public Ownership
In 1942, Huntington Hartford bought the property. He was an heir to a large grocery fortune. Hartford moved into the mansion and renamed the estate "The Pines." He hired famous architects Frank Lloyd Wright and his son Lloyd Wright. They planned to build a hotel and a country club. However, neighbors did not like the plans, so they were put on hold.
Lloyd Wright did design and build a pool pavilion. It was on a hill at Inspiration Point. Hartford later offered the property as a gift to the city in 1964. But the mayor at the time, Sam Yorty, turned it down.
A man named Jules Berman bought the property in 1964. He had made money importing Kahlúa liqueur. Berman planned to build 157 luxury homes. He tore down the mansion and guest houses. However, park activists stopped his building project in 1978. The Lloyd Wright pool-house burned down in 1972.
Between 1994 and 1999, two subway tunnels were built deep under the park. These tunnels are for the Metro Red Line.
In 2007, a group called The Trust for Public Land bought more land. This 14.9 acres (6.0 ha) area cost $8.75 million. This purchase helped make sure Runyon Canyon would stay open to the public. It also protected the beautiful views from being blocked by new buildings.
Exploring Runyon Canyon: Walks and Trails
Runyon Canyon Park has many paths for hikers. You can enter the park from five different spots. Two gates are at the bottom of the park on Fuller and Vista Streets. One gate is at the top on Mulholland Drive. Another gate is at Solar Drive, and a path comes from Wattles Garden. The Mulholland Drive entrance has parking. For other entrances, you need to find street parking.
Popular Hiking Routes
From the Fuller Gate, you have three main choices:
- Runyon Canyon Road (Easy): This is a gentle climb on a paved road. It goes from the south to the north of the canyon. The road then curves to the east ridge. This leads to a viewpoint called Clouds Rest. From there, you go down the Star Trail to Inspiration Point. This loop takes about 30–45 minutes.
- Star Trail (Medium): This path has some steep slopes and steps. If you go up the Star Trail first, it's a more energetic climb.
- Hero Trail (Difficult): This is the toughest route. It starts near the Vista gate. It takes you up a steep slope and along a ridge. You get amazing views to the west and south. This climb is much harder. It takes about 45 to 60 minutes.
If you enter from Mulholland Drive, you can take short hikes up Indian Rock. This is the highest point in the canyon. You get 360-degree views, including the valley to the north.
Hidden Paths and Wildlife
There's also a lesser-known path through the bottom of the canyon. It starts near the tennis court. This path goes past old ruins and over a flat stone slab. This slab is often decorated with mosaic patterns made from rocks. The path follows what used to be a river bed. It can be a bit of a scramble, and you might see cacti or snakes.
The upper canyon trails are home to many animals. You might see birds, owls, and hawks. There are also snakes, lizards, deer, and coyotes. Coyotes are often seen early in the morning or at dusk. They have been known to take small animals.
The park also has hundreds of plant types. These include black sage, elderberry, and California sagebrush.
The Rock Mandala
Runyon Canyon Park is home to a special art piece called the Rock Mandala. Artist Robert Wilson created it in 2008. It's a large circle made of rocks, some weighing a lot! People regularly take care of it. It's a quiet place for meditation and exercise. You can find the Rock Mandala in a peaceful valley away from the main trails.
Park Management and Rules
Managing Runyon Canyon Park and the homes around it has been a topic of discussion since the park opened. When the park first opened, there was no parking lot. Also, the area where dogs could be off-leash was made much bigger. This made the park very popular.
However, neighbors started to complain about parking and traffic. They also worried about safety, especially near the Mulholland and Vista Street entrances. Because of these complaints, parking rules were put in place on nearby streets.
In 2003, a group of local residents and park visitors was formed. They made suggestions to help with these problems. They suggested closing one gate and having dog owners pay a fee to help with park upkeep. They also suggested not building a large parking lot. These ideas were not put into action. In 2009, plans for a parking lot were put on hold. The city continues to look for ways to manage the park for everyone.
Images for kids
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Park Entrance in 2007
