West LA Times

Improvements are on the horizon for Reed Park in Santa Monica, as the city prioritizes cleanliness, safety, and cultural vitality in the area. Concerns raised by neighbors regarding the park's condition have spurred the city into action to enhance the overall park experience for visitors.

As part of a multi-departmental effort, the city has allocated $200,000 for improvements at Reed Park, focusing on various enhancements. These include creating an outdoor reception area for the Miles Memorial Playhouse with a decorative fence, initiating facility maintenance and repair work to revive the playhouse property, and evaluating the feasibility of adding a community garden to enhance the community experience.

Furthermore, measures such as adding signage and gates around the tennis courts for increased security and physical repairs to the Miles Memorial Playhouse are in the pipeline. The renovation work will involve addressing issues like HVAC repair, water intrusion, and door replacements to prepare for the reopening of the Playhouse and further activate Reed Park.

In a bid to enhance cultural affairs and safety in the area, a cultural affairs supervisor position has been restored in the Recreation and Arts Department. Additionally, conversations are underway to extend a security video monitoring pilot to the Miles Memorial Playhouse and Reed Park Plaza for real-time monitoring, following the success of a similar initiative at the Santa Monica Main Library.

The community can expect a revitalized and safer Reed Park as these enhancements and initiatives take shape.