SANTA MONICA—The city of Santa Monica has two master planning projects in the works that will impact the future of parks and recreation in Santa Monica. According to a press release from the city of Santa Monica, the Parks & Recreation Master Plan Update is the framework to guide decision-making the next 20 years as Santa Monica improves its parks and recreation system.

The Parks and Recreation Master Plan will consist of a total of eight pop-up events starting April 21, with the last pop-up event taking place on June 24. The budget for the project is $488,706 and was adopted by the city in 1997 by Santa Monica City Council and MIG, Inc. Many of the 1997 PRMP’s strategies were accomplished, but the remaining initiatives in combination with the growing need for open space necessitate a broad analysis of parks and recreation facilities, programming usage, and innovative funding strategies.

The Memorial Park Master Plan will begin 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. A community workshop for the Memorial Park Master Plan will be held on Wednesday, May 23 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Memorial Park Gym where residents and stakeholders are invited to participate in this public input opportunity. The budget for the project is $326,706 and when completed will be a 10.3-acre community park with six baseball/softball fields, a skate park, four tennis courts, gated children’s play structures, on-site parking, restrooms, a dog run area and three City-owned and operated community buildings.

Santa Monica City Council awarded the feasibility study and master plan design of the Memorial Park Redevelopment and Expansion Project to AHBE Landscape Architects. Following a competitive process, AHBE was selected based on their understanding of the project, experience working with governmental agencies and conducting community outreach, and track record with projects of similar size and scope. Their previous work includes Airport Park in Santa Monica and a master plan for Earvin “Magic” Johnson Park in Los Angeles.

“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,” he added.

Santa Monica residents and stakeholders are invited to participate by completing 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 display 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: www.santamonicaparks.org/samoparksmasterplan

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

Updates to both planning projects will be available online at www.santamonicaparks.org/memorialparkmasterplan and www.santamonicaparks.org/samoparksmasterplan. All are encouraged to follow along and participate on social media using #SaMoParksMasterPlan and #MemorialParkMasterPlan