Sadly, the iconic host of the game show Jeopardy!, Alex Trebek, passed away quite recently. In times like these, many like to think of happy memories. Like the time, years before his death, that Trebek donated a massive piece of land to the city of Los Angeles. It would go on to become a beautiful park…
The Alex Trebek Open Space
In 1998, when Alex Trebek purchased 62 acres of land in the Hollywood Hills, north of Los Angeles, everyone thought he would keep them for himself. After all, that’s what you do when you buy land! However, instead, Trebek donated all the land to the local park the same year, leaving a lasting impression on the city of Los Angeles. The land went on to become the Alex Trebek Open Space, connected to the Runyon Canyon Park. Mountains Recreation & Conservation says that it’s a “sunny, well-established network of fire roads.”
These days, hundreds of and mountain bikers love it and use it every week. Meanwhile, many gained a renewed interest in the park after Trebek’s passing. “Today Alex Trebek passed away. Did you know that he was generous conservationist in addition to being a famous game show host? He donated 62 acres of land in the Santa Monica Mountains in Nichols Canyon to create the Trebek Open Space,” the Laurel Canyon Land Trust wrote on Facebook. “This was not only a gift to urban Angelinos who thirst for open space and outdoor activity, but a gift to native animals such as our local Mountain Lions that require large amounts of open space in order to survive, and a gift to future generations who will have to reckon with climate change in the years to come….Thank you Alex Trebek and may you Rest in Peace.”
Helping Hands
As you might imagine, this was far from the first time Trebek did something so outstanding. Apart from helping the park, he also supported a nonprofit that helped his favorite animal. Thanks to the TV personality, musk oxen have been alive for years! The Musk Ox Development Corporation, based in Palmer, Alaska, care for these incredible animals, making sure they stay alive long into the future. Unfortunately, many hunted them for meat and wool, and they became endangered in 1950. Thankfully, Trebek noticed the issue and studied it, then began donating often. Now, the Musk Ox are finally starting to rebound!
Incredibly, Trebek and his wife Jean also helped battle homelessness with the organization Hope of the Valley Rescue Mission. When living in the Valley for 30 years and counting, the Trebeks wanted to help the community. Their first donation to a Southern California homeless outreach center was $100,000. Soon, it was followed with $500,000 more.
Trebek released a statement shortly after donating to the cause, saying that his family believes in helping locally and globally. Moreover, they are against judging the homeless. Instead, they think homeless people deserve to receive help and get back on their feet before starting a normal life.
Sources: ABC7, People Magazine