By Satenik Ayrapetyan

If you stand on the property next to the historic Mariposa Street Bridge, built over the Los Angeles River in 1939 to let horses and their riders cross the river to explore Griffith Park, the piece of land doesn’t seem like much. Right next to a residential area, the roads are dirt paths, perfect for horses.

The land isn’t empty – it has a few businesses including a horse rental – but the land is the final building block to create a permanent and protected link between the 4,210 acre Griffith Park and the communities of horse owners on both sides of the L.A. River.

In a long-awaited effort, the nonprofit group River LA purchased the land on January 7 and announced it in February, with the goal of assuring that it will not be further developed.

As River LA’s Chief Executive Officer Karen Moulene explains, “This was an access point (to Griffith Park) that was at risk of being eliminated. … By buying this piece of land we can guarantee in perpetuity that it would always belong to the community.”

It will be for horses and their riders, and hikers and bikers. The 86-year-old Mariposa Street Bridge over the river also acts as a corridor for wildlife to move between the park and the nearby communities on both sides of the river.

Moulene said, “It (will) always be an open space for the equestrians but also for individuals, for people and hikers that will always have access to Griffith Park.”

On March 23, 2024, the Mariposa Street Bridge was recognized as a national historical landmark, thanks to the local community, including former Burbank Mayor Emily Gabel-Luddy.

“Its relationship is unique within the United States,” Gabel-Luddy explained. “There is no major city in the United States like this section of L.A. and Burbank and Glendale, where there is a direct link to wilderness areas of over 4,000 acres of public parks.”

Dale Snowberger, who has been riding in the area since 1996, said, “You can ride a horse in your corral but it’s not the same as being out in nature. Loads of freedom, serenity.”

River LA’s goal is to preserve the land while making sure that the adjacent equestrian facility, the popular Studio Horse Rentals, is protected.

“It’s just a great deal for the conservancy and the LA River to buy it,” said Dario Perez, who owns Studio Horse Rentals. “To conserve the culture and the heritage of what the equestrian community is.”

Studio Horse Rentals is one of the few remaining horse rental facilities in the area, and its location near the historic bridge lets riders cross the Los Angeles River to explore Griffith Park.

“It’s really critical that a lot of people have access to (Griffith Park) so their horses have room for riding,” Moulene said. She called it “remarkable” that equestrians have a vast nearby park to enjoy.

While River LA now owns the land next to the Mariposa Street Bridge, existing businesses will remain. River LA hopes to continue its work, starting by cleaning up the area. And they hope to expand equestrian riding and services to underserved communities and provide benefits, such as therapeutic horseback riding.

The nonprofit’s goal is to allow more people to experience the benefits of open spaces that the area offers through its equestrian history and connection to Griffith Park.

“It’s gratifying to see,” Gabel-Luddy said. “Very gratifying to see the riding experience will be extended to others who may not have an opportunity,”