The Olmsted Network, which champions the legacy of landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, will honor the Santa Monica Airport2Park Foundation and the Santa Monica Great Park Coalition with a 2026 President's Award on Sept. 25 at its Annual Awards Dinner in Portland, Oregon. Representatives from both organizations will accept the award.
The Olmsted Network, comprising more than 150 park advocacy nonprofits and conservancies, is the first and only national organization dedicated to protecting the parks, places and principles of the Olmsted firm. Frederick Law Olmsted (1822-1903), considered the father of American landscape architecture, was a visionary and social reformer whose firm designed Central Park in New York City, Boston's Emerald Necklace, the Chicago World's Fair and thousands of other landscapes.
Olmsted Network President Sue Breitkopf said Airport2Park and the Great Park Coalition were selected in recognition of their work demonstrating how community vision can shape the next great American park. She said the organizations' efforts will help ensure that Olmsted's vision of "Parks for All People" becomes a reality in Santa Monica.
In announcing its 2026 award winners, the Olmsted Network said that in park-deficient Santa Monica, the Great Park Coalition has united residents, organizations and civic leaders around the restoration of a large park on the Santa Monica Airport site when it closes at the end of 2028. The network said the work reflects Olmsted's belief that every community deserves access to inspiring public green space.
Key aspects of the network's mission include advocacy, education, stewardship, and principles of accessibility and inclusivity. The network expressly opposes privatization of public space.
Olmsted left a deep imprint in California, designing master plans for UC Berkeley and Stanford University. An originator of California's conservation movement, he was passionate about protecting Yosemite Valley and safeguarding public access. His advocacy helped initiate the 1864 Yosemite Valley Grant Act, signed by President Abraham Lincoln, which granted Yosemite Valley to the state of California and protected it for public use and recreation.
"The Santa Monica Airport2Park Foundation is extremely honored to receive this prestigious award," said Neil Carrey, president of the Airport2Park Foundation. "The award is national recognition that the Santa Monica community's vision of reclaiming the airport site for its original park purpose reflects the ideals that the Olmsted Network champions."
"Receiving this Olmsted Network President's Award is a great opportunity for both organizations to gain insights from the Olmsted Network's advocacy toolkit, and to potentially connect with other national resources and donors," said John Fairweather, president of the Santa Monica Great Park Coalition. "We hope this will become a long-lasting relationship for our City as the Great Park is built and becomes an essential part of our community."
Originally acquired through a 1926 parks bond, the site is now poised to fulfill its original purpose as one of the nation's great public parks.
Edited by SMDP Staff