Residents and Stakeholders Asked to Envision the Future of Santa Monica Parks for Decades to Come

April 19, 2018 1:18 PM

SANTA MONICA, Calif. – The City of Santa Monica is kicking off two master planning projects this month that will shape the future of parks and recreation in Santa Monica. The Parks & Recreation Master Plan Update is the framework to guide decision-making over the next 20 years as the City improves its parks and recreation system. The Memorial Park Master Plan is also beginning to explore options for combining the existing park with the 2.9-acre Colorado Yards/former Fisher Lumber site, an important step towards renovating and expanding the park. 

Master planning is a cooperative problem-solving process used to examine how a park (or park and recreation system) exists today and envisions the future.  

“Our open spaces, recreational facilities and programs are a tangible reflection of the quality of life in Santa Monica,” said John C. Smith, Santa Monica Recreation and Parks Commission Chair.

These master planning efforts will ensure the system meets the needs of our community tomorrow and twenty years from now. I’m thrilled to see this get underway.” 

Santa Monica residents and stakeholders are invited to participate in several ways: Fill out a quick digital survey, attend a community meeting, and/or visit one of the many outreach pop up stations throughout the season. The pop ups will host games like Parks and Rec BINGO and Think Tank activities with prizes such as a Swim Center day passes, Breeze Bikeshare vouchers, or stored value TAP cards.  

Online Surveys:

Parks & Recreation Master Plan, active through June 30, 2018: santamonicaparks.org/samoparksmasterplan

Memorial Park Master Plan, active through June 1, 2018: santamonicaparks.org/memorialparkmasterplan

Community Workshop Information:

Community Workshop #1 for the Parks and Recreation Master Plan Update: Saturday, August 25, 2018, 10 a.m. – Noon, Civic Center Auditorium East Wing, Share your favorite parks and recreation programs or facilities, participate in mapping exercises, and identify gaps in service to help envision the future of parks and recreation in Santa Monica.

 

 

Community Workshop #1 for the Memorial Park Master Plan: Wednesday, May 23, 2018, 6:30  – 8:30 p.m., Memorial Park Gym, Learn more about the Memorial Park Master Plan and participate in interactive activities with the designers to express your aspirations and program requests for the renovated and expanded park 

 

Community Workshop #2 for the Parks and Recreation Master Plan Update:  January 2019, Identify priorities among desired improvements, services, programming, and parks system additions through an interactive exercise.

 

Community Workshop #2 for the Memorial Park Master Plan: July 2018, Time TBD, Memorial Park Gym, Three plan options for the renovated and expanded park will be shared with the community for feedback.

 

 

Community Workshop #3 for the Memorial Park Master Plan: August 2018, Time TBD, Memorial Park Gym, The final plan option will be presented.

 

Pop up sessions are also planned at locations throughout Santa Monica at gathering spaces and events. Residents and stakeholders are invited to participate.

Parks and Recreation Master Plan Update Pop Ups:

Reed Park Pop Up Session: Saturday, April 21, 2018, 3:30 - 5:30 p.m., Meet Me At Reed Pre-Concert Activity: Parks and Recreation Master Plan Update Pop Up with Games and Prizes.

Downtown Farmers' Market Pop Up Session: Wednesday, April 25, 2018, 8:30 a.m. - Noon, Downtown Farmers’ Market at the intersection of 3rd and Arizona: Parks and Recreation Master Plan Update Pop Up with Games and Prizes. 

Santa Monica Swim Center Pop Up Session: Thursday, April 26, 2018, 3:30 - 5:30 p.m., Santa Monica Swim Center pool deck (upstairs): Parks and Recreation Master Plan Update Pop Up with Games and Prizes.

Virginia Avenue Park Pop Up Session: Saturday, April 28, 2018, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., as part of the Arts & Literacy Festival: Parks and Recreation Master Plan Update Pop Up with Games and Prizes 

Santa Monica State Beach Pop Up Session: Saturday, May 12, 2018, 2  - 5 p.m., Santa Monica State Beach at the intersection of Ocean Park Blvd and the bike path (look for the plaza): Parks and Recreation Master Plan Update Pop Up with Games and Prizes

Clover Park Pop Up Session: Sunday, May 20, 2018, Noon - 2 p.m., Parks and Recreation Master Plan Update Pop Up with Games and Prizes

Douglas Park Pop Up Session: Saturday, June 2, 2018, 10 a.m. - Noon, Parks and Recreation Master Plan Update Pop Up with Games and Prizes

Summer SOULstice Pop Up Session: Thursday, June 24, 2018, 11 a.m - 1 p.m. Main Street: Parks and Recreation Master Plan Update Pop Up with Games and Prizes

Updates to both planning projects will be available online at santamonicaparks.org/memorialparkmasterplan and santamonicaparks.org/samoparksmasterplan.

All are encouraged to follow along and participate on social media using #SaMoParksMasterPlan and #MemorialParkMasterPlan 

Link to photos >

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Media Contact

Constance Farrell
Communications & Public Information Manager
Constance.Farrell@santamonica.gov

More Information

https://cityofsantamonica.box.com/s/esz91s5bt5kr8o5uh6mzce819oj4paq1
http://www.santamonicaparks.org/memorialparkmasterplan/
http://www.santamonicaparks.org/samoparksmasterplan