> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.smdp.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Greening of Santa Monica Euclid Park opens to excited crowds, satisfied children - URL: https://www.smdp.com/greening-of-santa-monica-euclid-park-opens-to-excited-crowds-satisfied-children/ - Published: 2007-07-16T15:00:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-24T02:18:24.000Z - Author: Guest Author - Tags: Community, Santa Monica, #archive-import *By EMILY SKEHAN Special to the Daily Press* MID CITY Bubbles floated with the breeze as children ran over freshly planted grass, spilling popcorn and laughing at friendly ladybugs. Families came to enjoy live music, old-fashioned snacks and general fun in the sun on Sunday afternoon at the opening of Euclid Park. The new facility, located on Euclid Street between Broadway and Colorado Avenue, is a needed patch of nature in the crowded neighborhood. “We wanted a little green spot in the neighborhood,” said Brett Horner, senior analyst of Parks and Community Facility Planning, who was present at the event. A series of community meetings were held to get input on the potential theme and layout of the park, and Horner says the neighborhood added a strong voice to the project. People were really into gardening, and things they could do in their back yard,” said Horner, “This is a dense neighborhood so many people don’t have a yard of their own — people didn’t even have room for a tomato plant or two.” The park features a sloping grassy area with sustainable water-retention, two swings, a small climbing structure, and community gardens with planting plots. Native, drought-tolerant plants and trees fill the area. Recycled rafters grant shade near the entrance to the park, and city Wi-Fi is available throughout the park. Meeting rooms are available in the adjacent, historical Hacienda del Mar building for neighborhood meetings or parties. Three birdhouse sculptures grace the edge of the gardening area. “I gave them homework,” said artist Abbie Jane Baron, “I said ‘tell me what was in your back yard when you were little,’ and what we came up with really resounded with the community, everyone had a birdhouse growing up.” Construction of the park began last August. The site was a parking lot for the Hacienda del Mar, which was a hospital when it opened in 1928. Many local residents came to the park’s opening, and were pleased with the new, green addition to their neighborhood. “It’s always a good thing to have a park instead of a parking lot,” said Mark McLaughlin, who lounged in the shade with his family. “Especially because there’s not a lot of green space in the area.” His daughter Fiona McLaughlin agreed. “This park is more convenient,” she said. “There are a lot of cars on Colorado and people drive really fast so we have to drive to other parks. I like that we can just walk here.” The 8-year-old McLaughlin added that her favorite part of the new park is the garden. “I like that you can look at all the plants and flowers,” she said. The park’s ceremony began with a performance by singer Phrant, who whistled and sang while playing guitar to the local families. The ceremony was expected to conclude with a dedication by Mayor Richard Bloom. Even when the event is over, Santa Monicans will continue to enjoy the new park. “It”s a nice, peaceful place for people in the city to come to,” said Angela Burton, who accompanied her daughter Saskia to plant a tree with Camp Santa Monica.“It would be lovely to come here and have a picnic on a Sunday.” *Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on July 16, 2007.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/071607.pdf?ref=smdp.com)