Government agencies seem to be building way too many structures in our parks. Cannot they just leave SPACE as space? Did our bond issues give too much budget for buildings? Does management abhor open space, thinking it is PROGRESS to build hockey rinks and designate soccer fields? Space is HIGHEST AND BEST USE of land.

Open Space is Beautiful

I would point out that when unfenced soccer fields are not in actual use as such, they are on a par with other OPEN space. Also, there is practcally no intrusion upon the land: just four goal posts that can be removed easily, in a short time. I think most folk would therefore think of soccer fields as ''OPEN'' space.
I am pointing this out, because I very much agree with the principle of preserving OPEN SPACE, especially in this ''park poor'' city. We should bear it in mind constantly, especially when tempted to put ''improvements'' (a legal term for ''permanent structures''} on the land. It is easy to overlook that our urban open space is strictly limited and not a ''renewable resource''.



By Alex

Open space without purpose

Undesignated purpose is what I prefer. Yes, I enjoy MV park's soccer field in the early morning when there is no game.
Santa Monica airport has open space, which they now wish to add sports fields and two 58 car parking lots. Let it lie!
And there would have to recurring budget for maintenance and police. It never ends.
We agree about permanent structures, the absence of.
Space doesn't ''happen''. It requires our action.


By anon

GREEN Open Space...please.

The area at the Santa Monica airport that they plan to make into a combination of a park, a dog park and a soccer field area,(and,yes,parking),is now a big slab area with no greenery to speak of. Making it a green area,for the most part,is a step in the right direction. The airport itself has grown into a major environmental problem for the surrounding communities, including Mar Vista,due to the influx of the commuter jets.
Open spaces are desperately needed in the Los Angeles area. The ability to breathe is strained without green open areas.It is one important aspect to reversing the damage that has been and is being done to our environment.

By Marty