sr-011012-8bCity Council Meeting: January 10, 2012
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Agenda Item: 'L
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Martin Pastucha, Director of Public Works
Karen Ginsberg, Director of Community & Cultural Services
Subject: Universally Accessible Playground Schematic Design
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1) Review and comment on the schematic design for the Universally Accessible
Playground Project.
2) Direct staff to move forward with the next phase of the project, design
development.
Executive Summary
The City proposes to develop a universally accessible playground on a site adjacent to
Santa Monica State Beach. The playground will provide an inclusive play experience for
children of all abilities. Following four months of public process, including a workshop, a
focus group, various outreach efforts, and a presentation to a joint meeting of the
Disabilities Commission and the Recreation & Parks Commission, two initial design
concepts have been combined into one schematic design. Staff recommends that
Council review and comment on the proposed schematic design and direct staff to
move forward with design development plans for the Universally Accessible Playground.
Background
The City is planning to construct an approximately 20,000 square foot universally
accessible children's playground on the site immediately south of the southernmost
beach parking lot in the City. The proposed playground site is presently occupied by a
sand play area, picnic tables, a turf area and palm trees.
The proposed playground is bounded by the Ashland Avenue pedestrian way and the
City beach parking lot (Lot 5/2600 Barnard Way) to the north, Barnard Way to the east,
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the Marvin Braude Bike Path (bike path) and the Pacific Ocean to the west, and Ocean
Front Walk and the bike path to the south. The address of the property is 2900 Ocean
Front Walk.
On June 28._2011, Council approved a professional services agreement with Katherine
Spitz Associates, Inc. (KSA) to provide design and preconstruction services for the
project. Following the agreement, KSA and City staff initiated a community engagement
process for the new playground. The process included a community workshop, a focus
group discussion, outreach to the special education and preschool communities, and
coordination with the Disabilities Commission and the Recreation & Parks Commission.
The specific program and amenities for the universally accessible playground were
determined through this process, and by working closely with the Disabilities
Commission and the Recreation & Parks Commission. It was agreed that play features
should incorporate unique design elements that integrate children of all abilities socially,
physically and emotionally.
Discussion
Located on the beach, at the end of Barnard Way, and close to the border between
Santa Monica and Los Angeles, this new playground will create a memorable and
playful gateway to Santa Monica Beach. Designed to accommodate children with
physical limitations and /or learning disabilities, as well as able bodied children, the
proposed playground demonstrates the opportunities that diversity brings to civic life.
The goals of the project are twofold: to create an inclusive, multi- sensory, rich
environment where play opportunities exist for all; and to create a memorable space
that captures the visitor's imagination, within the framework of a safe and sustainable
environment.
Two concepts were initially presented to the community for review and input: The Ship
and Pacific Ocean Park (POP). The "Ship" concept described as a buried clipper ship
reflects the history of Santa Monica as a harbor. The POP concept pays homage to the
Ocean Park amusement pier and the history of amusement piers on the Santa Monica
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coast. After a comprehensive community input process, the "Ship" concept was
selected as the strongest, singular image for the new universally accessible playground.
The "Ship" Concept
The imagery of a ship, with its white sails, is a celebration of Santa Monica's seaport
history. The related marine life imagery would be the organizing theme of the play and
learning experience. The sails would provide shade, the hulls would be filled with multi -
sensory play elements, and active play elements would be located on the deck. Ripple
like circles of rubberized matting would create the illusion of water and house additional
play equipment. Marine life would be depicted in three dimensions throughout the
playground. Cast concrete sea life would be discoverable in the sand play tables and
sandboxes, periscopes would encourage the seeking of oceanic distant views, and
water play features would be set in the sand tables. Swings, rolling bar slides, climbing
nets, a captain's wheel, music elements, and rotating balance structures are included in
the design. Ultimately, the selection of play elements would be influenced both by
functionality, space and budget. These carefully selected play components contribute
to the development of strength, balance, coordination, and body awareness; and
sensory elements encourage social exploration and cooperative play.
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The park would be fenced on all sides, with 42" tall coated, small gauge chain link
fencing, and two entries would be located on the north side, adjacent to the parking lot.
Four picnic tables and seating throughout the park are included in the design. Drought
tolerant planting would be used to screen the chain link fencing, turf would be used to
frame the play area, and all of the existing palm trees would be preserved on site.
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Community Engagement
On July 30, 2011, the first community workshop was held at the Civic Auditorium. Input
received included the following
• Needs of a disabled parent, not only children
• Incorporate play elements to encourage independence through independent use
• Natural elements for inspiration
• Water and sand play
• Shade structures
• Tables for art projects
• Themed play features
• Balance and strength - building elements
• Seating for all abilities
• Colorful murals
• Bike path barrier
Members of the Disabilities Commission recommended sponsoring a poster contest for
Disabilities Awareness Month as another way to build interest and involvement by the
community in the new playground. As a prize, the winners of the contest would have
their artwork displayed on the construction fencing when the playground is scheduled to
begin construction next year.
On September 22, 2011, a focus group was held at Virginia Avenue Park. Discussions
brought up many constructive comments, including:
• Need for a protected walkway from the playground across the bike path to the
beach
• Need to consider play elements that are equally challenging to all children
regardless of ability /disability
• Need for play "challenges" such as ramps that make children "work"
• Need for seating throughout the playground area
• Need for textural changes on the pathways
• Need for wider paths to allow circulation behind and around a wheelchair
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® Desire for elements (such as sound elements) that work with the wind
® Desire for as many easily accessible sensory panels as possible
Overall, the focus group participants favored the "Ship" scheme, citing the "clarity" of its
imagery and theme.
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Members of the project team have made efforts to reach the community by attending
meetings of the Santa Monica/Malibu Unified School District PTA Special Education
Committee on September 15 and October 12, 2011, and a local preschool (The
Growing Place) to show conceptual imagery for the park and to have parents fill out
surveys and give input into the programming and design of the playground. Parents of
children with special needs expressed interest in creating opportunities for children who
have not developed social skills to be able to participate in cooperative play. Other
important elements are those that promote balance, sensory awareness, motion, water
and imaginary play.
As part of the public outreach process, a Facebook page was developed for the project
(itr�JltsJ „uvw,fcboc>Iccc ;,!smuu���) to let people know about the design process,
upcoming events, and to invite additional survey input.
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Over 60 adults between the ages of 36 and 45 responded to the written survey. Over
80% of the respondents had between one and two children, most without disabilities.
Of the sample, over 90% believe that a Universally Accessible Playground would be of
benefit to their children and approximately 75% believe that it would provide physical,
social and intellectual development as well as providing fun and play. The most
important overall playground features were (in order of importance to the respondents):
• Shade
• Accessible and inclusive play
• Safety
• Seating and rest areas
• Landscaping and other natural elements
• Sensory elements
The most desired play elements were (in order of importance to the respondents):
• Slide
• Swings
• Play but or tower
• Sand box/table
• Water play
• Crawl bridge
• Tunnels
• Ladders
• Balance beam
On November 15, 2011, staff presented the project to the Homeowners Association of
the Sea Colony, the closest neighbors to the project site. Seven members of the
housing community attended the presentation and provided their input. Comments
included:
• Provide special facilitator and/or dedicated signage at each of the play equipment
pieces to describe how it should be used in a safe and appropriate way
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• Sound features of the playground might be loud and annoying — requested that
comparative decibel levels for equipment be made available
• Proper playground maintenance
• Higher perimeter fencing around the project area
• Endeavor to reduce the construction timeframe
• Be mindful of construction noise that may be disturbing to those who live nearest
to the area
Overall, the comments of the residents were mostly positive and enthusiastic about the
transformation of the existing playground into something more inspiring.
On December 13, 2011, staff was invited to return to the Sea Colony for a second time
to present the schematic design scheme only to residents of the Sea Colony 1 condos,
the residential units that directly face the beach and the proposed playground project.
The group of approximately 23 residents provided the following comments:
• Project has been hurried through the design process without their input, citing
that they were not informed of the workshop, focus group or previous Sea Colony
presentation
• Increase in traffic on Barnard Way as a result of the new playground, which
presently results in beach -goers using their private driveway to make U -turns or
for drop -offs
• Increase in noise of children playing in the larger, improved playground and
utilizing sensory play equipment that generates sound
• Blockage of their views to the beach of the low playground "ship" structure, the
shade "sails" and the "masts" that anchor them
• Increase use of the area by the homeless as a result of the playground providing
a more comfortable place than currently exists
• Need for more security
• New playground will result in large buses of children coming to the site to use the
playground, resulting in more noise
• Bike path hazards
• Sand fences being used by the homeless to hang laundry and other personal
effects
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• Pop -up events utilizing the open space adjacent to their property on Barnard
Way
• Lack of adequate beach patrol
• Increase in capacity and speed of vehicles on Barnard Way
Commissions Review
The two concepts were presented to a joint meeting of the Disabilities Commission and
the Recreation and Parks Commission on October 3, 2011. The Commissioners were
nearly unanimous in their support for the "Ship" concept, citing "appropriateness,"
"sense of containment," "scale," and the integration of the conceptual theme with the
individual play /sensory elements, shade structures and materials.
Staff returned with the schematic design to the Commissions separately on November
7, 2011 (Disabilities Commission), and December 15, 2011 (Recreation & Parks
Commission).
Disabilities Commission — The Commissioners were unanimous in their enthusiastic
support of the evolution of the playground design from concept to schematic and
discussed strategies they might employ to raise additional funding for the project to
maintain the high level of design detail that was presented.
Recreation & Parks Commission — The Commissioners stated that the playground's
sensory elements were "amazing," the buried concrete fossil concept was "fabulous and
creative," and that the "Ship" concept had resulted in a "delightful" element, "chock full
of activities, not a boring boat." Positive public comments included calling the scheme
"creative and inclusive — one of the most creative that I've ever seen and a great asset
to our community," and that it is "vitally important for the City to be inclusive."
Comments from several of the Sea Colony residents at the Recreation & Parks
Commission meeting included:
• Concerned that the playground would become a homeless encampment
• Playground would not be properly maintained or patrolled
• Sound play elements would create a nuisance by encouraging parties during the
night hours
• Disabled playground users would be run over trying to get to the public restrooms
• Homeless would urinate in the playground
The Commissioners voted unanimously to recommend the schematic design to Council
for approval with the following suggestions:
• Height of the shade structures be analyzed so as not to create a visual blockage
• Standard playground signage be provided
• Provide monitoring and enforcement to ensure park safety
• That materials selected for playground be able to sustain the difficult marine
environment
The Recreation & Parks Commission also encouraged staff to continue to meet with
Sea Colony residents as the project progresses.
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
This project is the replacement of an existing playground. As a result, it is exempt from
CEQA pursuant to Class 1 (Existing Facilities), as the project involves negligible
expansion of use given that it is currently an open space with a play area and will
remain as such with new play equipment.
Next Steps
Following Council action on the schematic design, the design team will begin preparing
design development plans for the playground. The next steps are:
• Complete design development plans — February /March 2012
• Submittal to Coastal Commission — February 2012
• Complete construction documents — May 2012
• Return to Council for award of construction contract — July 2012
• Begin construction — August 2012
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Financial Impacts & Budget Actions
There is no immediate budget/financial impact to this Council action. This project is
currently funded by the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and additional
funds are expected to be allocated in the FY2012 -13 grant funding appropriation.
Prepared by: Jean Bellman, Architect
Approved:
„ F
Martin Pastucha
Director, Public Works
Forwarded to Council:
Rod Gould
City Manager
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roved:
Karen Ginsbeib
Director, Community & Cu ter Services
AdamsKesmler
A Professional Law Corporation
Syectfafizing in Conityr enity Assaeicxtions
(800) 464 -2817 n (310) 945 -0280
Via Email and First Class Mall
Santa Monica City Council
City Hall
1685 Main Street, Room 209
Santa Monica, California 90401
Email: <see address list below>
LOS ANGELES
2566 Overland Ave.
Suite 730
Los Angeles 90064
SAN DIEGO
8880 Rio San Diego
Suite 800
San Diego 92108
SAN FRANCISCO
225 Bush Street
Suite 1650
San Francisco 94104
SACRAMENTO
770 "L` Street
Suite 950
Sacramento 95814
Please reply to Los Angeles office
January 2, 2012
ORANGECOUNTY
100 Pacifica
Suite 130
Irvine 92618
RIVERSIDE
11801 Pierce St.
Suite 200
Riverside 92505
Re: Objections to Proposed Location for Universally Accessible Playground
Dear Council:
JAN 10 2012
COACHELLA
VALLEY
PO Box4006
Idyliwild 92549
Our firm serves as corporate and litigation counsel for Sea Colony Homeowners
Association ( "Association "). The purpose of this letter is to express the Association's
opposition to the proposed location of the Universally Accessible Playground ( "Playground ")
and express its serious concerns regarding the safety, nuisance, and traffic issues the proposed
Playground will bring upon the children, the Association, its members, and the area in general.
First, the Association wishes to express its recognition of the City's noble efforts to
create a facility for the benefit of children and even more so, to create a facility that
accoinmodates the needs of special needs children. The concept of a universally accessible
playground is a good one. The Association's objections are not to the proposed Playground per
se, but the proposed location of the Playground. The Association expresses each of its concerns
as follows:
Safety Concerns: The proposed location of the Playground poses grave safety concerns
for the children that do not appear to have been properly addressed by prior Boards reviewing
the project.
Street Traffic. As illustrated on the enclosed diagram, Barnard Way is a very narrow
road, with only one lane in each direction. There is no street parking in front of the playground.
Although there is a public parking lot next to the proposed Playground, its entryway is not
conveniently located. The entryway to the parking lot is at the most northern side of the
parking lot while the playground is at the absolute most southern end of the parking lot.
Moreover, visitors must pay to enter.
Because of the lack of a suitable location to drop -off and pick -up children parents often
stop their vehicles on Barnard Way in front of the playground blocking all traffic going north
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JAN 10 2012
Santa Monica City Council
January 2, 2012
Page 2
or south, depending on the direction the vehicle is traveling. Even worse, drivers try to get
around the stopped vehicle by crossing over into oncoming traffic. Children dropped off on the
northbound lane must cross the road to the playground. The traffic on Barnard Way is very
heavy and vehicles travel at a very high speed. Clearly this poses a real danger to the children
and to drivers swerving to avoid unexpected pedestrians.
Another traffic concern for the Association is that it is located on Barnard Way, directly
across the playground. As illustrated on the enclosed diagram, the Association's driveway is
directly across the road from the entrance to the playground. As it is, the Association's
driveway is being used regularly by vehicles traveling on Barnard Way as a turnaround and
drop -off spot. Drivers come onto the Association's driveway at all times of day and night
blocking traffic on Barnard Way and blocking residents of the Association trying to enter and
exit the development. Further, those vehicles using the Association's driveway must blindly
back out into Barnard Way as a wall blocks the view of the street. This habit is not only a
nuisance but a safety hazard.
The Association anticipates that the construction of the Playground will cause a
considerable increase in the traffic flow and therefore, increase the traffic problems currently
suffered by its residents. More importantly, the Association is concerned that as the number of
children brought to the location increases, the probability of a child being injured while
crossing the road (either because they were dropped off on northbound traffic or the
Association's driveway) will increase as well. Unless the Playground is constructed in a more
suitable location, for convenience and to save money, traffic on the narrow two -lane road will
continue to be blocked and the Association's driveway will continue to be used as a drop -off
and turnaround point, and even more so.
Beach Path. As also illustrated on the enclosed diagram, the bike and walking path
curves around the back or westernmost portion of the Playground, directly at the area of the
Playground the children would need to cross to use the restroom located behind the
Playground. It is precarious to position a Playground for special needs children in this location,
as bikers, roller skaters, and skateboarders constantly come around that curve at dangerous
speeds. Children will inevitably be injured on their way to the restroom.
Contraband. Other safety concerns include public drunkenness and the use of the
covered location for gang activity and drug trafficking and use. Remains of broken glass,
alcohol containers, and used needles would pose a real danger to the children.
Health and Sanitation Concerns: Residing directly across the street from the proposed
Playground, the Association's members are quite possibly the most knowledgeable regarding
the day - today activities of the homeless in the area. Currently, the homeless sleep behind the
grassy hill just east of the Playground en masse every night. Most have taken up permanent
residence and keep their clothes and belongings behind bushes and under trees in the area, The
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Santa Monica City Council
January 2, 2012
Page 3
Association's residents constantly witness the homeless harassing passers -by and urinating
everywhere and on everything. The homeless also use the fence erected along the beach path in
winter as a sand barrier and as a clothesline to dry their clothes. The homeless also use the
restroom directly behind the proposed Playground to wash up.
The large proposed boat structure, to be covered by large canvas covers on 20 foot
masts, begs to be used as a shelter and will inevitably cause more homeless people to migrate
to an area that already houses a large portion of the area's homeless. It is also worth noting that
the covers can cause injury if blown away in strong beach winds common to the area.
Inevitably, the proposed wall to be erected around the Playground will also be used by
the homeless as shelter and as a clothesline. Other sanitary concerns include the excessive
littering that will result in the area, including empty alcohol containers, broken glass, and food
containers. Most importantly with regard to the health concerns, once taking up residence in
the Playground, the homeless will undoubtedly defecate and urinate along the Playground and
on the instruments and configurations erected within the boat structure. Clearly, this poses a
serious health concern for the children.
Nuisance and Noise Concerns: Currently, the residents of the Association complain
about the sounds that emanate from the current playground, Because of the air now and the
close proximity of the playground to the Association, any small sound carries across the road
into the homes of the Association's residents. The idea of including musical instruments as
permanent fixtures of the Playground is extremely inconsiderate of the Association's residents.
Moreover, the designers of the Playground were shortsighted in assuming the instruments
would only be played by children in the daytime hours. In reality, the instruments will attract
transients, gang members, and homeless strolling the bike path in the late nights and early
mornings.
Existing vs. Proposed Playground: The city's response to past objections from the
Association is that the proposed Playground would simply be an upgrade of an already existing
playground. However, it's the proposed additions to the area that trigger the Association's
concerns noted above. For example, there currently does not exist a shelter -like structure
around the playground that would attract the homeless or drug trafficking. Further, the state of
the art facility will attract more children and families, thereby increasing the traffic. Even more
so, making it accessible to special needs children will inarguably attract to the location a group
of children that would not usually use the playground, thereby increasing the traffic and illegal
use of the Association's driveway significantly. In sum, the nature of the proposed Playground
raises concerns that do not currently exist with the existing play area.
Alternate Locations: For the reasons noted above, the proposed Playground, the
children, the members of the Association, and the general community would all be better
served if the city would find another area of the beach or a park within the city to build the
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Santa Monica City Council
January 2, X012
Page 4
Playground that has the following attributes:
® An area that offers street parking (or free public parking) directly in front of the
Playground for convenient and safe pick -up and drop -off of children, thereby
eliminating the need for improper blocking of roads and improper use of private
driveways;
® An area that does not require special needs children to cross an extremely
dangerous area of the bike path as they make their way to the restroom, which
will inevitably result in serious injury to the children;
® An area less populated by homeless and less likely to attract more homeless,
gang members, and drug pushers and users; and
e An area that is not located directly across or near a residential community
because the proposed musical instruments unfairly expose the residents to
excessive noise.
The Association is confident that the City Council will refrain from making a quick and
hasty decision to approve the Playground and instead require the proponents of the Playground
to research and propose alternate locations for the Playground that would better suit all
involved. Although the Association hopes to avoid legal action against the City, please be
aware that the Association has not ruled out the possibility of seeking a court order prohibiting
the construction of the Playground at the proposed location.
On behalf of the Association, thank you in advance for consideration of the
Association's concerns,
Very truly yours,
ADAMS KESSLER PLC
410fl4t, 140e
Karen Nagad, Esq.
Encl: Diagram of location of proposed Playground
Send Wa entail lo: council c og sin v net; richard.bloom @sm og v.net; gleam.davisasm og v.net;
robert.bolbrook asm og v.aret; kevingmckeown.net; pam.oeonnor@smaov.net; terry oda a srn ov.nct;
bobb .shriver c smgov.net
wwww.adamskessler.coni www.davis- stirling.com
1. Playground 5. Sea Colony HOA's Driveway
2. Bike Path 6. Entrance to Public Parking Lot
3. Restrooms 7. Narrow Two-Lane Road "Barnard Way"
4. Sea Colony HOA
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City of
Santa 31on:ca°
To: Rod Gould, City Manager
From: Karen Ginsberg, Dire r t -
Julie Rusk, Manage
Date: January 9, 2012
Subject: Disabilities Commission Comments on the Universally Accessible
Playground Schematic Design
Purpose of Document Submitted:
Attached is a letter from the Disabilities Commission expressing their support and
recommendations to City Council regarding the schematic design for the universally
accessible playground at Santa Monica State Beach. This item is scheduled for the
January 10, 2012 City Council meeting.
Please distribute copies of this letter to members of the City Council for their
consideration. A copy has been forwarded to the Director of Community and Cultural
Services.
Document Reviewed By:
Robin Davidson, Human Services Administratoro
Administrative Office Police Activities League Senior Center
1685 Main Street, Room 212 1401 Olympic Boulevard 1450 Ocean Avenue
Santa Monica, CA 90401 Santa Monica, CA 90404 Santa Monica, CA 90401
Tel: (310) 458 -8701 Tel: (310) 458 -8988 Tel: (310) 458 -8644
TDD: (310) 458 -8696 TDD: (310) 458 -8696 TDD: (310) 458 -8696
FAX: (310) 458 -3380 FAX: (310) 458 -8995 FAX: (310) 917 -6637
Virginia Avenue Park
2200 Virginia Avenue
Santa Monica, CA 90404
Tel: (310) 458 -8688
TDD: (310) 458 -8696
FAX: (310) 399 -4326
Youth Office at Reed Park
1133 7' Street
Santa Monica, CA 90403
Tel: (310) 458 -8540
TDD: (310) 458 -8696
FAX: (310) 451 -3569
City of
Santa Monica"'
January 9, 2012
Disabilities Commission
1685 Main Street
PO Box 2200
Santa Monica, California 90407 -2200
Honorable Mayor Richard Bloom
Members of the City Council
City of Santa Monica
1685 Main St.
Santa Monica, CA 90401
JAN 10 2012
RECEIVED
OFFICE OF THE
CITY CLERK
2012 JAN -S P€J 2100
SANTA MONICA, CALIF.
Re: Schematic Design for the Universally Accessible Playground
Dear Mayor Bloom and Members of the City Council:
I am writing to provide the Disability Commission's input on the schematic design
for the universally accessible playground presented at the Commission's
November 7, 2011 meeting.
Overall, the Commission was extremely pleased with the schematics presented
by the design team and City staff. A majority of commissioners preferred the
"clipper ship" design that we understand has been adopted by the design team.
While primarily positive, commissioners expressed certain concerns for the
design team's consideration:
• Proximity to the bike path — Commissioners expressed concern regarding
safety of children leaving the park and /or crossing the bike path to reach the
beach.
• Fencing material — Commissioners were concerned that a chain link fence
would cheapen the aesthetics, and strongly recommended fencing material
consistent with the quality of the design and /or decor that would hide the
fencing entirely.
• Sufficient accessible parking — Commissioners requested that significantly
more than minimum ADA accessible parking be provided adjacent to the
playground.
The Commission again thanks the City for its support of this important project
that we believe will become a landmark at Santa Monica Beach and will reinforce
our desire that all City parks be universally accessible to all children regardless of
ability or disability.
Sincerely,
hris f r o
Chair
Cc: Karen Ginsberg, Director of Community and Cultural Services
tel: 310 -458 -8701 • TDD: 310 - 458 -8696 a fax: 310 -458 -3380
JAN 10 2012