You are invited to a Bike Ride around Santa Monica Airport 
Backstory:
Santa Monica Airport is a part of the City of Santa Monica that residents rarely see and use – and even fewer see it by bike – or envision potential cycling connectivity relating to this space.
There is growing interest to learn more about Santa Monica Airport issues in regards to Land Use, air pollution, noise, safety, sustainability, transportation and quality of life.
Some of the concerns and questions put forward include:
- Nearby residents who feel severely impacted by the airport facility have voiced concerns about air pollution, lead pollution, constant noise and regular plane crashes.
- Residents who do not live near the airport have questioned the cost of subsidizing the airport as well as the significant environmental costs and lack of sustainability that private jet travel represents.
- Questions regarding the expense and pollution of running this large 227 acre facility that is used by very few residents. Should so few benefit from this large property that the City owns and maintains?
 
 
Back in February of 2012 the City of Santa Monica invited residents to participate in small group discussions to collect input on the future of the Airport with Santa Monica Airport Community Process.
The FAA contract with the City of Santa Monica ends in 2015, there are residents who feel that the contract should not be renewed. They are beginning to explore exciting new possibilities for the land use that could turn this facility into a healthy benefit for the entire city and region.
This idea is not new or radical, as many communities around the country have chosen to do just that and close down polluting airports and convert the large spaces into parks.
Some of those questions could be:
- Why not here is Santa Monica?
- What if we expanded Clover Park to a great civic park? This could be a jewel that every one could enjoy! A park like this could be a huge public benefit to help us create a more livable and healthier vibrant community.
- What if this park could contain miles of walking paths and protected bike ways? It could be a destination for walking and biking and encourage a whole new generation of riders to learn and enjoy cycling in a safe and healthy environment. How wonderful if we could connect children to healthy active living and nature!
- Â What if the park included public and community gardens where local produce could be sold on location.
- Existing hangers and buildings could be repurposed from current aviation only use and instead be leased out to more sustainable uses such as Green Incubators and E Startups as well as artist studios which could be specifically designed to link to future active transportation like biking and walking infrastructure with connectivity to Bergamont Station, the Expo line and neighborhoods currently bifurcated by the property.
Come on this ride to hear and help envision some of the possibilities for the Santa Monica Airport!
Another related event: October 3rd
This ride precedes another public event scheduled October 3, 2013Â where all interested community members are invited to come and design a POTENTIAL FUTURE PARK on the site of the Santa Monica Airport. Everyone is invited to come and contribute their ideas to what this new park could be.
6:30pm
Commission and the Barnwood Foundation.
