HOLLYWOOD, Calif. /California Newswire/ — Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today joined the Trust for Public Land (TPL) to announce it has secured the necessary funding to purchase Cahuenga Peak, the 138 acres of land surrounding the Hollywood sign.
“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,” said Governor Schwarzenegger. “I am proud we were able to come together and create a public-private partnership to protect this historic symbol that will continue to welcome dreamers, artists and Austrian bodybuilders for generations to come.”
The state, through Proposition 40 and other sources, raised a total of $3.1 million for the campaign. Proposition 40 allows the state to issue $2.6 billion in bonds for natural resources conservation, state and local park acquisition and improvement and historical and cultural resources preservation purposes. Additional funding was given by private philanthropy ($6.7 million) and local public funds ($2.7 million). Private donations were given by all 50 states,10 foreign countries and individuals, including Aileen Getty, Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks and Hugh Hefner.
The Cahuenga Peak landscape is surrounded by 4,200-acre Griffith Park, which has 12 million visitors every year.