July 10, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

The Future of Airport Park:

On Saturday morning, Santa Monica residents gathered at Santa Monica’s Airport Park to learn about and give feedback on the park’s future expansion and how it might affect the city.

Mark Rios, who founded his own design firm in 1985, is spearheading the project. The event began with a comprehensive presentation by Rios outlining his priorities as well as three proposed plans for what the completed park might look like. The project aims to incorporate 12 acres of non-aviation land adjacent to the existing park, practically tripling its size.

Rios’ primary goals are to showcase the airport’s history, avoid an overly-engineered design, and make sure the park feels like a single unit.

“I want this to be a cohesive 20 acre place, as opposed to a 6 acre place, an 8 acre place, and another 6 acre place,” said Rios. He plans to unite the park with a large “runway” for pedestrians that will run along the park’s entirety, and be large enough to incorporate walkers, runners and bikers.

Each of the three “schemes,” as Rios called them, was centered around adding multiple multi-purpose sports fields to the park. The primary differences between each plan were placement of roads and parking, as well as the sizes and number of fields. In each case, the majority of the park space would be allocated to an additional two or three fields.

While practically everyone gathered seemed to agree that a new park was a welcome addition to Santa Monica, attitudes were mixed as to how this space would be best used.

John Fairweather looks forward to seeing Santa Monica’s playing field issue solved with the addition of the new sports fields around which all of Rios’s plans are centered.

“Santa Monica has a terrible shortage of playing fields,” Fairweather said. “To get onto fields, it’s kind of a bidding war. It’s very difficult. By adding the fields here, we will take the pressure out of the fields all over Santa Monica.”

Lucy Tate agrees that there’s a field problem, but finds the problem to be of a different nature.

“When I hear arguments of parents saying, ‘there’s not enough of these spaces,’ it’s because they’re all booked up at certain times. If we had spaces that were available at all times, you could turn up in a park, kick a football around or have fun playing frisbee. You wouldn’t need to book it,” said Tate.

After Rios presented his plans for the larger Airport Park and fielded questions from his audience, community members could then visit tents to learn more about the proposed plans as well as speak further with members of the Rios Clementi Hale Studios design team.

Everyone in attendance was then given a “passport,” on which they could share thoughts about each design, as well as what they would like to see in the park. Though opinions were divided, residents were given the chance to voice their thoughts, and help the park project best serve the community

in News
<>Related Posts

Father-Daughter Authors to Host Book Signing to Aid Fire-Affected Women

July 10, 2025

July 10, 2025

Ten percent of proceeds from book and art sales will benefit the Pacific Palisades Rebuilding Fund, a nonprofit initiative created...

Metro Reports Crime Drop, Higher Rider Satisfaction, and Progress on Major Projects

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The Authority said the drop in violent incidents—down to the lowest level since May 2019—coincided with more uniformed personnel and...

Santa Monica Joins Regional Lawsuit to Halt Unconstitutional ICE Raids

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The motion to intervene seeks to ensure that Santa Monica and other plaintiff-intervenors can advocate for their residents’ rights in...

Promenade Restaurant Introduces Lunch Menu Set at $18 Per Person

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The fixed $18 price point targets commuters and those seeking a power lunch or a change of scenery The restaurant...

Santa Monica Council Votes in Support of Park-Centric Future at Airport Site

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The decision followed a contentious meeting with over 140 public speakers and more than 1,000 emails received by the council...

Housing for Health Chief Appointed to Lead Unified Homeless Services Department

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

Veteran Housing Advocate to Oversee Streamlined LA County Services The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday confirmed the...

‘Adoptapalooza’ Pet Adoption Festival Returns to Main Street This Weekend

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The free, family-friendly event aims to connect adoptable animals with new owners Green Dog Dental & Veterinary Center will host...

Virtual Town Hall to Discuss Proposed Resilient Rebuilding Authority

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The agency, to be run by political appointees, would manage permitting, development, zoning, and funding, modeled after post-disaster recoveries Los...

New Agenda Coaching: Changing Lives in LA

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Students Work Toward Applied Success with Executive Function Coaching Services The demands of daily routines and studies sometimes bear weight...

Saint Monica Prep Students Win Award for Anti-Street Racing PSA Video

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

The winning public service announcement, titled “Not Worth It,” was highlighted in a post on X by @LADOTofficial  Students from...

Anti-Drunk Driving Resolution Introduced as City Council Honors Late Palisades Teen Killed in Crash

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Levi, who was set to attend the University of Virginia this fall, was killed by a drunk driver on May...

Free and Reduced Price School Meals Available for Eligible Families in Santa Monica-Malibu District

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Parents in Need Encouraged to Apply, SMMUSD Commits to Nutritious, Accessible Meals By Brandyi Phillips, SMMUSD Chief Communications Officer Santa...

Big Blue Bus to Raise Fares for First Time in Nearly a Decade

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

The fare increase aims to offset rising costs for fuel, utilities, and supplies, according to the agency. The Santa Monica...

Shore Hotel: A Local Destination for Summer Fun

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Bring on all things summer. Walking or biking along Santa Monica Pier, you might find yourself taking a pause at...

Santa Monica’s 150th Anniversary to be Celebrated with Vibrant State of the City Event

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets, beach chairs, and picnics to enjoy during the performances Santa Monica will mark its...