By ALISON TULLY Special to the Daily Press
WILMONT Architect Katherine Spitz realized the extent of Reed Park’s poor signage when her own coworker couldn’t find it.
“The park has a lack of identity. There is nothing that celebrates it,” Spitz told community members gathered inside the Miles Playhouse on Saturday. “My coworker was wandering down Wilshire.”
Her law firm — Katherine Spitz Associates — is currently mulling ideas for the park’s eventual redesign. Proper signage is one of many problems at Reed Park, so named in 1997 to honor the late former mayor Christine Emerson Reed.
The city has received five proposals for the park’s renovation, according to Miriam Mulder, an architect for the Civil Engineering and Architecture Department.
“Five is a really high number for a small project like Reed Park,”she said.“I think a lot of people wanted to redesign it because it’s high profile and has a lot of inherent challenges.”
Homelessness is perhaps the biggest of the challenges.The park’s one square block — covering the area between Wilshire and Lincoln boulevards and California and 7th streets, attracts a considerable number of transients because of its abundant green space. In the 188 surveys filled out by residents concerning the park, more than half complained about the homeless, according to Brett Horner, senior administrative analyst for the Department of Community and Cultural Services.
“The park is used by a lot of transients because it is close to downtown,” said Horner. “The acreage has a casual use instead of being programmed for sports and different activities.”
The planned renovation is part of the city’s Parks & Recreation Master Plan, adopted by City Council in 1997. Around $450,000 has been allotted for improvements in Reed Park, according to Horner.
Resurfacing of the park’s six tennis courts, expansion of the playground, planting of drought-resistance plants and the preservation of the historic playhouse are some of the ways that Spitz feels the park’s space could be enhanced.
“We want to use playful and modern playground equipment seating that are uncomfortable for people to sleep on,” she said.
Some senior citizens like Patricia Kelch, 70, however, felt that the new redesign is more catered to children.
“I can see how this will help the kids,” Kelch said. “But I don’t see how this is going to help us, who live by the park and don’t have anywhere to sit.”
Janaki Symon, 59, of Santa Monica, said that implementing programs like read-alouds by adults could balance the different needs of the population.
“There is a natural polarization between young people and the elderly,” Symon said. “We need to create an atmosphere in which they can find common ground.”
Following the meeting, residents were able to place red stickers alongside their favorite photos that Spitz’s firm is pulling ideas from. Santa Monica Police Officer Jacob Holloway held his sheet of stickers, moving from poster to poster to carefully make his choices.
“I like this fish, because I have a 6-year-old girl who would love playing on it,” Holloway said, pointing to a playground structure. “Stuff like this is a great way to expand the park and it will help to attract more people.”
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on April 3, 2007. Read the original PDF.