North Section of Palisades Park to Re-open Next Week

Mirror staff

   When Palisades Park from Arizona Avenue north to the city limits closed last September for extensive renovations, a kind of pall overtook Santa Monica. Joggers, runners, strollers, card players and other residents who went regularly to the historic strip of grass and palm trees overlooking the ocean were hard put to find substitute turf. Some people didn’t even try, but simply ran, walked, even sat on the Ocean Avenue side, just outside the chain link fence that had been wrapped around the park. 

   According to Beach Manager Judith Meister, who supervised the project, the $4.5 million renovation included the planting of new trees, plants and grass, the laying of new surfaces on the paths, the installation of new benches, lights and seating areas, the restoration of the pergola near the end of Utah Avenue and the installation of a new irrigation and drainage system, designed to drain water out of the bluffs and into the sewer system in order to prevent further erosion. 

   Now, after eleven months and $4.5 million, though the restrooms and the viewing deck at the California incline, are still being built, the Park will reopen on Wednesday, August 18, at noon. Members of the City Council and other officials will be on hand.