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WHAT'S NEW IN PARKS?
& AT THE BEACH |
- Pardon our dust
while
STEWART PARK
gets new restrooms! Construction completion is
targeted for December.
- Take an early
morning walk at
CLOVER PARK…
it opens at 6 a.m.! The par course around the
perimeter of the park is three-quarters of a
mile long and features exercise equipment along
the way. Or organize a volleyball game with
friends and co-workers—bring a ball and try out
the new net and poles! Call (310) 458-8300 to
reserve the court.
- Are you familiar
with
CAROUSEL PARK?
Built in 1983, this tiny park sits on Ocean
Front Walk at the base of the Santa Monica Pier
next to the Carousel. Bring the kids and climb
the concrete sea dragon and “sail” the
newly-cleaned concrete pirate ship. It’s the
perfect place for fun and imaginative play!
- This winter, a
patch of asphalt in the
SOUTH BEACH PARKING
LOT
(2030 Ocean Ave) will be transformed into
beautiful green grass, expected to be available
next spring for picnics, Frisbee, kite flying
and ball playing. The Beach Greening Project,
funded by a state grant, will convert 83 parking
spaces to green recreational space designed to
filter storm water and parking lot runoff,
ultimately improving Santa Monica Bay’s water
quality. It can also be used for parking on days
of high beach visitation.
- Lighting fixtures
along the
BEACH BIKE PATH,
from Bay Street to the southern city limits,
will soon be upgraded. Stenciled “bikes only”
signs along the entire route were recently
repainted to help improve the flow of traffic
and increase safety. Stay to the right and ride
safely!
- Remember:
FILMING AND
SPECIAL EVENTS
in parks and at the beach may require a permit.
For more information, please call
(310) 458-8573.
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A SIGN OF THE SEASON: OPPORTUNITIES FOR GIVING
The
holiday season is a wonderful time to connect with the
community and improve the lives of those around you. To make
the most of your good intentions, please consider donating
time, money or goods to the local, nonprofit service
providers listed here as an alternative to leaving donated
goods in parks or other public spaces, or giving handouts to
people on the streets.
- CHRYSALIS
(310-401-9400) helps economically
disadvantaged and homeless individuals through
employment opportunities. Among the things most needed
are interview clothes, non-perishable lunch items, and
personal care products.
- OPCC (310-264-6646,
Ext. 235) operates a network of shelters
and services, providing assistance to low-income and
homeless men, women and children. Individuals and
community groups can “Adopt-A-Family” or sponsor a drive
to collect toiletries, socks or canned food. OPCC will
drop off and pick up containers for non-perishable food
items. OPCC also needs groups year-round to prepare,
cater and/or serve meals for its clients.
- ST. JOSEPH CENTER
(310-396-6468, Ext. 310) aids low-income
families and individuals. “Adopt-A-Family” by purchasing
gifts and food scrip for those in need. St. Joseph
Center also accepts unopened, non-perishable foods,
diapers,
 socks
and underwear (all sizes), toiletries and hygiene kits,
and gift certificates for fast foods and movies.
- WESTSIDE FOOD BANK
(310-828-6016, Ext. 12) distributes food
to over 60 social service agencies in the area.
Community groups can get involved by starting a food
drive. WFB will drop off and pick up containers at your
site. Donations of blankets, toiletries, towels and
frozen turkeys are welcome throughout the holiday
season.
For more information about these and
the city’s other partner agencies, contact the
Westside Shelter and Hunger Coalition at (310) 314-0071, or
visit
www.westsideshelter.org
BEACH SUMMIT HIGHLIGHTS RECENT PROGRESS, FUTURE
IMPROVEMENTS
Santa
Monica Convention & Visitors Bureau (SMCVB) hosted the
second annual Beach Summit in September, kicking off the
organization’s 25-year anniversary celebration. With more
than 70 city officials, community leaders, residents and
local business representatives in attendance, this year’s
event looked at progress made in three key areas:
environmental stewardship, amenities and services and safety
perceptions.
“The 2006 Beach Summit effected dramatic and positive
change in Santa Monica and we anticipate a similar trend
from this year’s forum,” said SMCVB President and CEO Misti
Kerns. “Suggestions taken at last year’s consortium resulted
in the implementation of more than a dozen programs [that]
provide residents and visitors with more amenities and
services and . . . a cleaner and safer beach.”
Noteworthy among these programs are: the voters’ passage
of Measure V to raise revenue for managing urban runoff; a
“trash valet” service in busy areas of the beach during the
summer; expanding the marketing of beach amenities via the
city’s website; and installation of security cameras on the
Santa Monica Pier and Third Street Promenade. The Santa
Monica Police Department has also recently designated an
officer to patrol the beach.
Projects scheduled for completion in 2007 and 2008
include improving pathway and freeway directional signage
for getting to the beach, and developing a beach map to
serve as an educational tool for beachgoers about water
quality, available amenities and environmental stewardship
of the beach.
For more information about the
beach summit, contact the SMCVB at (310) 393-7593
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