Photo of 1934 golf tournament at the original park. Credit UCLA Archives provided by Great Park Coalition.
Santa Monica residents will have a chance to celebrate the city’s past—and its future—this weekend at a community picnic hosted by the Santa Monica Great Park Coalition. RSVP here.
The event, set for Saturday, April 25 from 12 to 2:30 p.m. at Clover Park, marks the 100th anniversary of Santa Monica’s 1926 parks bond while highlighting ongoing efforts to transform the Santa Monica Airport site into a new Great Park. Organizers say the picnic will include free hot dogs, drinks, and cupcakes, along with family-friendly activities like face painting, sports and art stations, a pollinator plant giveaway, and a “Dogs of the Great Park” photo area.
The celebration ties back to a 1926 vote in which residents approved funding—equivalent to about $16 million today—to create what was then envisioned as a “Great Park.” That land was later converted to airport use during World War II, but the city is now moving forward with plans to reclaim it following the anticipated airport closure after 2028, as directed by Measure LC.
“The approximately 30,000 residents of Santa Monica voted in 1926 to tax themselves the equivalent today of $16 million to acquire a priceless legacy for future generations—land for a Great Park”, explained John Fairweather, Chair of the Great Park Coalition. “We at the GPC cannot think of a better way to celebrate their vision than by holding a joyful picnic in Clover Park, on land reclaimed by Santa Monica after the Douglas plant closed and reimagined as lasting green space for the community.”
Coalition leaders say the picnic is both a tribute to that original vision and a way to build momentum for the park’s future.
Survey Deadline Approaches
The event also comes as the city’s airport conversion planning process enters a new phase. Santa Monica officials recently launched a community survey to gather input on the future of the airport site—and that survey closes Sunday. You can take the survey here.
The questionnaire is part of the broader planning effort to shape what the будущe Great Park could look like, from open space and recreation to cultural and community uses. Residents who want to weigh in on how the land is redeveloped are encouraged to complete the survey before the deadline, ensuring their input is included as plans move forward.
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