Council adopts Parks & Recreation vision and directs turf policy study; approves revised Memorial Park design with cost reductions

The Santa Monica City Council adopted a comprehensive Parks & Recreation Vision Plan and directed staff on a city policy approach to artificial turf on city‑owned sports fields, while certifying the Memorial Park revised plan and related environmental review.

Public works staff described outreach dating to 2018 and the plan’s recommended network goal of 5 park acres per 1,000 residents. The council debated how to balance public‑health and climate concerns about synthetic turf with high‑intensity field demands for youth and adult sports. Amelia Feichner, city architect, summarized staff’s proposed compromise: "No new artificial turf fields will be installed at city‑owned sports fields; existing grass fields will stay grass; existing high‑intensity artificial turf fields will be reevaluated as part of a market‑transformation and pilot program to test durable natural alternatives." Council directed staff to include public‑health criteria in feasibility work and to prioritize options that preserve field availability for high‑intensity sports.

On Memorial Park (the multi‑phase redesign and expansion onto the former Fisher Lumber site), the council certified the EIR, approved the revised plan and asked staff to pursue cost‑reducing modifications. Because of a funding shortfall, the council accepted a staff recommendation to return with on‑grade tennis/pickleball court options that would bring phases 1–2 closer to the original budget while maintaining playability and community amenities. The council also asked staff to continue pursuing grants and report back on funding options and pilot testing of natural grass alternatives before committing to turf replacements.

Quotable: "We are not going to preclude the possibility of natural alternatives if staff proves them feasible," a council member said during the debate. The motion to adopt the plan and direction passed unanimously.

Next steps: staff will produce feasibility analyses, pilot studies for natural alternatives, a funding plan for phased implementation and a timeline for final design and construction contingent on grants; council asked for studies of street‑based park options and reuse opportunities for underused public land as part of longer‑term park acquisition strategies.