By Tim Dillenbeck Santa Monica
Re: (page 1, June 18, “City Hall gets shady”) What illustrates “Fun in the Sun” better than our local beaches? Unfortunately, though, as we well know, prolonged exposure is harmful. Yet it seems that the concept of shade at the beach has been completely overlooked in terms of facility design.
Most of us remember those charming historic photos of Santa Monica beaches circa 1920. Remember that sea of black umbrellas covering every inch of sand? Quaint. Revealing. And if you study the history of the Santa Monica Pier in its early years, there was once, adjacent to the Carousel, a 50 foot by 100 foot shaded picnic area. With electric barbecue grills no less! And the photos show it packed with people!
Shade used to be an integral element of outdoor public spaces. What happened? Perhaps it was our cultural shift to regarding a suntan as “healthy” or “fashionable." I don’t know.
What I do know is that the pier and beach areas afford virtually no provision for shade. At least parks are usually landscaped for it. At the beach, palm trees don’t quite cut it.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on July 7, 2008. Read the original PDF.