GRIFFITH PARK—The Griffith Observatory is scheduled to close for two weeks due to construction starting Monday, April 22 to Monday, May 6.
Four major projects in and around the Griffith Observatory require construction in an effort to “make it easier, safer, and more satisfying to visit” The Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks announced on their website. Work on the projects have been underway since late February and work is expected to be completed before summer.
During the closure, there will be no public activities at the facility and no vehicle or bicycle access will be permitted on both the East and West Observatory roads, the Observatory’s public parking lot and Vermont Canyon Road past the Greek Theatre. Western Canyon Road will be closed at Fern Dell for most of the closure period.
Pedestrian access to the Griffith Observatory hilltop area will be limited to views of the Hollywood Sign, exterior restrooms and along the access roads several times throughout the two-week closure period.
From April 23-April 25 and April 29, There will be no access to the hilltop for safety reasons, including access from trails that end on the Observatory grounds or parking lot. There may be additional dates where access may be completely restricted if there are work delays and park rangers will post signs along trails to alert hikers and post updates online.
For those who will be visiting around the construction dates, the closest parking will be at the Greek Theatre. It is advised to not arrive for the Greek Theatre show days (currently April 27, May 2, and May 3) after 1:00 p.m. as no parking will be available. The only access up to the building from the Greek Theatre area will be walking up hill. The last stop for the DASH Observatory bus will be at the Greek Theatre and will not be making any stops to the Griffith Observatory.
Work done during construction will include improving lighting by adding 51 light poles and LED lights on all poles improving illumination for pedestrian and vehicle safety along with reducing light pollution and energy usage.
A new sidewalk is being added on East Observatory Road that will connect the existing Vermont Canyon sidewalk to the Griffith Observatory grounds that improve drainage along the roads and provides a safer continuous pathway for pedestrians from the Greek Theatre parking area up to the Observatory.
The Griffith Observatory hilltop parking will be reconfigured for easier access and parking. and will also be updating their air conditioning systems
After May 6, the public parking lot will be closed, but the Observatory will operate normally with all other parking available. The All Space Considered program on May 3 at the facility has been cancelled.
Admission to the Griffith Observatory building, grounds, and telescopes is free and open six days a week (Tuesday to Friday from noon to 10 p.m. and open on weekends from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.).
