Beach Greening Project Meeting Thursday

Santa Monicans are invited Thursday to view a plan to covert a section of a beach parking lot in Ocean Park to artificial turf.

The informational meeting on the beach greening project will take place Thursday May 3 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Ocean Park Branch Library in Santa Monica.

The Beach Greening Project will convert a section of the southerly 2600 Barnard Way beach parking lot (just north of the playground at the terminus of Ocean Park Boulevard, and between Fraser and Wadsworth Avenues) to natural turf.

The turf will be built to allow automobile parking on it during peak periods (such as on holidays and summer weekends). The rest of the year, the southern section of the lot (both the turf portion and an asphalt portion) will be closed to autos and available for recreation use. The project has important water quality, environmental, and recreation benefits.

The meeting on May 3 is intended to introduce the project design to the public, and provide and opportunity to discuss the project with the design team. A California Coastal Commission permit is currently pending on the project. The project is substantially funded by a grant from the State Water Resources Control Board, and is an adopted City budget objective from Fiscal Year 2006-07.

Walk, bike, or take Big Blue Bus Lines 1, 8, or 10 to the Ocean Park Branch Library at 2601 Main Street in Santa Monica. The meeting room is accessible for persons with disabilities. For more information or accommodation needs, please call (310) 458-8310 or TTY (310) 458-8696.