

Our photo of the week is a shot from Runyon Canyon with a gorgeous view of the city. Check it out as our cover photo this week on the LAist Facebook page. (Photo by Miguel Cruz Images via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr)

Lace up your jogging shoes and ready your Instagram filters because L.A.'s favorite hiking spot has sealed the deal on a nearly 15-acre expansion. On Tuesday, officials announced that the acquisition of a 14.9 acre property adjacent to Runyon Canyon Park had been finalizing, meaning the parcel will be permanently protected from development and preserved as open space.

The acquisition, which included privately-owned property at the northwestern edge of the park, was spearheaded by Councilmember David Ryu, Supervisor Sheila Kuehl, the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA), the Trust for Public Land (TPL), and the Department of Recreation and Parks. The park expansion was "something that people have been working towards for a long time," as Estevan Montemayor, a spokesman for the councilman, told LAist in December.

The Department of Recreation and Parks partnered with the Trust for Public Land, a nonprofit group that facilitates and funds the creation of parks and protected lands, to secure the funding needed to acquire the land, according to a statement from Councilman Ryu's office.

The city (via its Department of Rec and Parks) owns and manages most of Runyon Canyon Park, but the MRCA oversees the park’s open green space, according to CBS 2.

“Runyon Canyon is a beloved regional park that serves as a significant recreational resource for the people of Los Angeles. This purchase will expand our City’s open and green spaces, protect our natural habitats, and create healthier communities for all," Councilman Ryu said.

“Expanding Runyon Canyon is a victory for the millions of Angelenos who regularly visit this park to get outdoors,” Tori Kjer, Los Angeles program director of the Trust for Public Land, said in a statement. “This trail and knoll are one of the most popular spots in Runyon Canyon, and this is a perfect example of the value of investing in natural outdoors spaces for our densest urban communities.”

Related:

City Looks To Expand Runyon Canyon Park With Acquisition Of Neighboring Property