> ## 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. # Grow smart and avoid state parks - URL: https://www.smdp.com/grow-smart-and-avoid-state-parks/ - Published: 2008-03-31T15:00:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-24T23:47:36.000Z - Author: Guest Author - Tags: Opinion, Santa Monica, #archive-import SMART GROWTH SANTA MONICA IS A Yahoo discussion group of "progressive” individuals who share a “Smart Growth” and sustainable vision for the city, according to the groups on-line description. SmartgrowthSM’s stated purpose is to support mass transit as an alternative to automobile use, encourage development that enhances the community, promote attractive public and open spaces and ensure safe streets that are inviting to bicycling and walking — among other goals. I knew my column (March 17, 2008, Page 4) on the 20th Street and Cloverfield Boulevard streetscape project would generate a reaction. Members have recently been exchanging comments such as this editorial from the Brooklyn Daily Eagle which describes “complete streets.” The editorial states, “A complete street’s foremost a reapportioning of road space... On a complete street, car travel lanes are narrowed, curbside parking is reduced or removed, and that space is repurposed as broader sidewalks, protected bike lanes, secure rights of way for buses and more pedestrian-oriented intersections.” One SmartgrowthSM member blogged to members,“In this is the notion that it is unacceptable to sacrifice our community’s streets to automobiles." Say, what? Automobiles have been on our streets for nearly 100 years. Virtually 100 percent of us get around in private motor-driven vehicles because we have to, like it or not. Reducing the traffic capacity of major thoroughfares, by even a small percentage causes substantial congestion, delays and money. Eviscerating traffic capacity for the occasional bicyclist or bus isn’t progress, it’s nightmare planning and intolerable traffic management. One only has to look at Broadway, Montana Avenue, Ocean Park Boulevard and other major thoroughfares with (empty) dedicated bike lanes and long, frustrating, single lines of cars creeping along to realize that this Utopian vision is impractical, selfish and self-serving — and decades ahead of its time. I don’t want politicians to be my mother or my nanny. I don’t vote for them to tell me to eat my broccoli. Social engineers and politicians alike must realize that mass or alternative transit must provide distinct and measurable advantages over private vehicles if its going to change behavior. Removing or narrowing lanes and making it harder, more dangerous and increasingly inconvenient to drive makes people angry, at best, and kills and maims at worst. I don’t enjoy driving, but my car is really the only way to get where I need to go. When in no hurry, I’ll take the Big Blue Bus, into Westwood Village for a movie, for example. It’s far less costly and stressful than driving, paying for gasoline and parking. Most of the time, public transit is so inconvenient that it’s just not viable, Neither is riding a bicycle. When desirable alternatives to the private vehicle are readily available, then planners can take underutilized portions of roadways for wider sidewalks, bike lanes and landscaping. Memo to politicians and transit advocates: Add don’t subtract. Provide alternatives before recycling streets. ENVIRONMENT GETS SNUBBED Two weeks ago, California Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger "terminated” Santa Monica City Councilman, Bobby Shriver and actor, Clint Eastwood from the nine member state Parks and Recreation Commission. In 2005, Shriver, the commission chairman, and Eastwood, the vice chairman, led the panel in opposing a six-lane toll road that would cut through San Onofre State Beach, a 3,000 acre scenic coastal park in northern San Diego County and home to a world famous surfing locale. A gubernatorial spokesman told the press their positions on the toll road did not factor into the governor’s decision. Shriver’s sister is Maria Shriver, the governor’s wife. Shriver and Eastwood supported a 2006 lawsuit to block the toll road and urged the California Coastal Commission to reject the project — which it did. That lawsuit is now under appeal. Schwarzenegger advocated that the toll road was “essential to protect our environment” by helping to relieve freeway gridlock in Orange and San Diego counties. Both Shriver and Eastwood wanted to stay on for third terms. Shriver told the Associated Press, “Using parks for roads is not the intent of a park.” He explained, “I had hoped to continue to do this work and continue to protect the park system from developers. It shows you how strong these developers were that were able to arm-wrestle the governor into firing us.” The commission approves planning and recommends ways to protect and develop the state park system. They do not earn salaries. The “Governator" recently proposed closing 48 state parks and eliminating half the number of lifeguards at a number of state beaches as part of his budget cuts. Schwarzeneggar has made a big mistake, here. It’s just one more bad decision from the Governator and looks like he’s just another cheap “politician” doing political favors for big money developers and special interests instead of caring about the people and the environment. *Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on March 31, 2008.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/033108.pdf?ref=smdp.com)