L.A. residents miffed about ban
SM AIRPORT A seldom explored corner of Santa Monica came alive Sunday as hundreds of families flocked to the opening of Airport Park, eight-acres of open space that features the city’s first synthetic-turf soccer field, its third dog park, a children’s playground and a picnic area complete with massive grills for barbequing.
Parents sat in the shade and watched as their kids climbed on a jungle gym, tossed footballs through the air or frolicked with the family dog. Others spread out blankets on the soft grass and listened to music from the Belle Air Brass as lines formed for free food from local eateries.
Elected officials along with city staff were also on hand to share in the festivities as Santa Monica celebrated the first new city-built park to open in 24 years, a great accomplishment considering the lack of open space and high cost of land within the city limits.
“This is just beautiful,” said Deanna Hagan, who grew up a few blocks away from the Santa Monica Airport and remembers the area being relatively deserted. She was surprised to see so much activity in a place where she once was prohibited from going as a teen, and in fact had been busted by airport security for trespassing.
“Back then they were trying to keep everyone out,” said Hagan, who was at the park celebrating her sister’s 50th birthday. “Now they want everyone to come visit. I think it’s great. It’s definitely been a long time coming.”
Many residents have been fighting for a park for more than 15 years, said Barbara Stinchfield, City Hall’s director of Community and Cultural Services.
“This is really the vision of the community,” Stinchfield said Sunday. “Community members identified this site about 15 years ago and they worked very hard and are truly the one’s responsible for its opening … We really have created a unique place. The airport has sort of this quirky identity and I think this park adds another dimension to it. People really seem to enjoy it.”
Well, not everyone. There was a batch of residents from West Los Angeles, some of whom live directly across the street from the park on Bundy Drive, who are not so happy with City Hall. The group is upset because they are not allowed to use the dog park, a hot commodity for many apartment owners on the Westside who are looking for places for their dogs to exercise.
Currently only Santa Monica residents with dogs licensed in the city are allowed to use the dog park, angering some out-of-towners who spend plenty of money eating and shopping within the city and are looking for a little love in return.
“Santa Monica is a fascist state,” said Jeannette Scheibe, who lives within walking distance of the park. “Who does Santa Monica think they are? Instead of being able to walk over here, they are forcing people like myself to have to leave our neighborhoods and drive somewhere else.”
Those who are organizing to fight the current ban on non-residents and their dogs held up a large banner at one of the entrances to the park that read “Shame on Santa Monica.”
Stinchfield said City Hall has been trying to work out a pilot program with Los Angeles City Councilman Bill Rosendahl, but so far nothing has been finalized. Like any new facility, city staff will monitor the dog park to determine the level of usage. Then they will have a better idea as to how many permits they could issue to non-residents. Only 45 dogs are allowed in the park at one time.
“Our intent is not to exclude anyone,” Stinchfield said. “We have to find out what the usage is and then manage it accordingly.”
Despite the canine controversy, most people seemed to be enjoying themselves, including young soccer stars Justin Chin, Dash Dennerline and Ben Lizendo, members of Santa Monica United, a youth soccer league. The three were playing a game of keep-away, anxiously awaiting a chance to try out the synthetic turf field.
“It’s got great grass, perfectly cut and really soft,”Chin said about the park.“I wish this could be our home field.”
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on April 30, 2007. Read the original PDF.