By Daily Press Staff
Despite that they’ve been a part of the holiday season in Santa Monica for decades, the displays in Palisades Park were formally approved this week.
City Attorney Marsha Moutrie said there were a host of concerns surrounding the legality of the displays that came up regarding the laws that govern park maintenance and events. Some of those laws were only instituted in the last few years.
As part of making the displays legal, the City Council will allow people to put up displays on a first-come, first-serve basis, regardless of what the displays are.
The displays for decades have depicted the birth of Jesus and other Christmas-related Christian scenes.
Under the new ordinance, which was unanimously passed, the unattended displays are only permitted in December. The City Council will indicate exactly where the displays are allowed.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on August 29, 2003. Read the original PDF.