Integrating technology for responsible recreation

Goal

Increase awareness of an extensive trail system across all of Griffith Park beyond its most popular routes. Encourage responsible exploration that includes trail etiquette, safety practices and environmental stewardship.

Impact

• • Increased awareness and engagement across the entire Griffith Park trail system via the Griffith Park Explorer Program 
  • Expanded use of less-trafficked official trails by encouraging hikers, especially those who typically repeat the same routes, to discover new parts of the park
  • Advocated for park preservation by providing comprehensive guidance on responsible use of official trails and integrating information about the Park’s history, flora/fauna, geology, and attractions into the trail description

Challenge

While Griffith Park is a beloved green space, a significant portion of its extensive trail system remains undiscovered by many hikers, who frequent the same popular routes. A wide range of users, including tourists and less-experienced hikers, presents the need for education on principles of responsible use. Interpretive elements are critical to protect the Park’s delicate ecosystems and ensure a safe experience for everyone. Hikers sometimes unknowingly go off official trails due to the nature of Southern California’s habitat types; the use of technology to keep them on-trail is highly desirable.

Approach 

In 2025, Friends of Griffith Park launched the innovative Griffith Park Explorer (GP-eX) program, a free, comprehensive system comprising 15 distinct hiking segments. This program is designed to encourage hikers to navigate and appreciate all corners of the Park, including sections separated from the original Park borders decades ago by freeway construction. Friends of Griffith Park strategically partnered with the AllTrails Public Lands Program to:

• Promote exploration of all official trails within the park:  GP-eX encouraged visitors to investigate all 15 segments as a personal or group project, transforming trail exploration into an exciting quest and expanding usership beyond familiar paths.
• Utilize AllTrails for navigation: Friends of Griffith Park leveraged AllTrails embedded maps and custom lists to host detailed, turn-by-turn directions for each of the 15 segments, making navigation simple and accessible, even allowing routes to be downloaded for offline use.
• Inform responsible trail use: Through their AllTrails presence and program website , Friends of Griffith Park effectively conveyed crucial information on how to responsibly use trails, covering topics like safety guidelines, emergency contacts, wildlife encounters, and essential items to carry. This is particularly vital for an urban Park that is typically visited by many tourists who may not understand proper trail etiquette.
• Provide up-to-date information: The partnership ensured visitors had access to the most updated trail information directly through the AllTrails platform.

Outcome

Through its Griffith Park Explorer (GP-eX) program and a close partnership with the AllTrails Public Lands Program, Friends of Griffith Park is transforming how visitors engage with the Park. By promoting GP-eX and providing seamless navigation via AllTrails embedded maps and custom lists, Friends of Griffith Park is increasing awareness of and dispersing visitors across their entire trail system. This initiative expands trail usership with many visitors discovering new routes beyond their habitual paths.

The program educates the park’s diverse user base about responsible trail practices, helping to ensure the Park's natural beauty is preserved for generations to come. GP-eX is now being incorporated into an exhibit at the park’s Visitors Center, supporting Friends of Griffith Park’s efforts to champion the park's preservation through first-hand experience and strong community engagement.