REMEMBERING RUDY

"Aspiration" a statue of silent movie actor Rudolph Valentino was sculpted by Roger Noble Burnham and erected in DeLongpre Park in Hollywood on May 5, 1930

The inscription on the base of "Aspiration" 

In 1979, another statue dedicated to Rudolph Valentino was erected in the park,
this time a bust sculptured by Richard Ellis

For an interesting (if not downright bizarre) history of the park and these statues, visit Hollywoodland

ON A CAROUSEL

Located near the Griffith Park Zoo and said to have been Walt Disney's inspiration for building Disneyland, the Griffith Park merry-go-round was built in 1926 (it was originally located at the Mission Beach Amusement Center in San Diego, but was moved to Griffith Park in 1937). The ornate carousel has 68 horses and contains a Military Band Organ that plays more than 1,500 songs. 

ABANDON ALL HOPE (if you have a dog)

Entrance to Grand Hope Park in Downtown Los Angeles. The pleasant, no dogs allowed park is situated between Hope and Grand Streets in front of  FIDM (The Fashion Institute of Fashion and Merchandising). 

WHAT A DUMP! (Not really, but I couldn't pass up the opportunity)

The Bette Davis Picnic Area

Glendale, Ca

Although I can't think of a single actress who least comes to mind when thinking about a nice picnic outing,  legend has it that The Bette Davis Picnic Area, a part of Griffith Park located near the LA River, was named for the actress because she once owned a home on nearby Rancho Avenue.