Councilmember Raman Introduces Motion To Create A Zero-Emissions Griffith Park

For Immediate Release: February 9, 2022

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COUNCILMEMBER RAMAN INTRODUCES MOTION TO CREATE A ZERO-EMISSIONS GRIFFITH PARK

LOS ANGELES — Yesterday, Councilmember Nithya Raman introduced a motion to fully decarbonize City maintenance and transportation operations in Griffith Park, establishing the largest zero-emissions operated park in the City of Los Angeles. A regional hub for outdoor recreation, wildlife, and families from all over the City, creating a zero-emissions Griffith Park will simultaneously improve Angelenos’ collective enjoyment of this shared space and restore its natural habitat. 

The City Council has recently undertaken efforts to reduce pollution and greenhouse gasses (GHGs) in Griffith Park, including through the deployment of zero-emission battery-powered DASH buses within the park. In August of last year, Councilmember Raman also announced the permanent closure of a ⅔ mile stretch of Griffith Park Drive to personal vehicle use, further reducing emissions and increasing access to active recreation. However, much of the maintenance work and groundskeeping of the park is currently performed with heavily-polluting, gasoline-powered equipment. This equipment exposes users and park visitors to harmful emissions and disruptive noise pollution.

“Last summer, I was so excited to announce the permanent closure of a stretch of Griffith Park to personal vehicle use, and now I am thrilled to build upon that work by creating a fully zero-emissions Griffith Park,” said Councilmember Raman. “Not only will this improve air quality in one of the nation’s largest urban parks, it will serve as a symbol of our City’s values and a model for decarbonizing the rest of the City’s parks and outdoor spaces.”

Councilmember Raman’s motion instructs the Department of Recreation and Parks, with the assistance of the City Administrative Officer, the General Services Department, and any other relevant City departments, to report back within 60 days with a plan to transition City maintenance and transportation operations in Griffith Park to zero-emissions. The report will include options for electrifying, phasing out, or otherwise decarbonizing the following: City-owned equipment powered by gasoline engines, non-emergency City-owned vehicles that operate within Griffith Park, diesel- or gasoline-powered generators used for auxiliary power, and any other equipment powered by a diesel or gasoline engine.

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