Tiny $1M restroom at popular LA hiking spot draws outrage from locals

A teeny-tiny two-stall public restroom with a whopping price tag has popped up at the foot of one of Los Angeles’ most popular hiking trails.Runyon Canyon, a favorite trail for locals and tourists offering sweeping city views, went years without a permanent restroom.That all changed Thursday when the city wheeled in the new facilities, complete with two stalls and two water fountains.The cost for the new restrooms is reportedly close to $1 million, a jaw-dropping number for some of Runyon’s visitors.“I thought it was absurd from the start, and now seeing it, it’s even more absurd,” Runyon Park visitor Shira Scott Astrof told FOX 11.

“They wheeled in what looks like an extra-large dog house,” he added.“Why did it cost the city a million dollars?” hiker Nick Moschetto asked FOX 11.Runyon is also frequently visited by celebrities including Justin Bieber, Shawn Mendes and Melanie Griffith.Nithya Raman, the LA Councilwoman who is currently running for mayor, said the restroom is funded through a grant.“We’re excited that this grant-funded restroom facility is a step closer to being available for public use at Runyon Canyon,” a statement from her office said.“Runyon is one of the most heavily used parks in Los Angeles, and providing restrooms is basic park infrastructure that benefits everyone who visits.”...