"Hollywood Sign is Saved to Become Protected Parkland"

"LOS ANGELES -- The famous Hollywood sign above Los Angeles, theatened by a development of luxury homes, has been saved and will become part of a public park.

The Trust for Public Land today announced it has raised enough money to buy and protect the 138 acres behind the Hollywood sign, as 'Playboy' magazine founder Hugh Hefner stepped forward to close the gap with a $900,000 donation toward the $12.5 million needed.

'Today, we have the Hollywood ending we hoped for and now Cahuenga Peak will be forever protected by adding it to Griffith Park,' said Will Rogers, president of Trust for Public Land....

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said, 'Of all the iconic landmarks in the world, the Hollywood sign is truly one of the most recognizable symbols of the California dream and land of opportunity. It called to me when I left Austria and made my way to the U.S., with a few dollars in my pocket and the dream of becoming an actor.'"

Environment News Service had the story April 26, 2010.