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Sand Dune grievances aired Commission farms them out
by John Tawa
The Sand Dune Park Neighborhood Committee brought their concerns about the overuse of Sand Dune Park to the Manhattan Beach Parks & Recreation Commission Monday night, but left, at least for the time being, without getting the relief they sought.
The committee petitioned the Manhattan Beach City Council in November to consider changes to the park, including restricting park hours from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., rather than the current hours of 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. The committee also sought to limit use of the park by groups of 10 or more without permits and by professional trainers, to eliminate the park's four dedicated parking spaces and to consider narrowing the dune by 20 feet on the south side.
The city council directed the Parks & Recreation Commission to evaluate the grievances and make recommendations to it.
Before a packed house, the Commission heard one Sand Dune resident after another parade to the podium requesting various access restrictions to the park. When Commissioner Brian Currey suggested closing the dune altogether for one year to change the pattern of use, the chamber erupted in applause.
"I think that would be fantastic," said neighborhood committee member and former city councilmember Dan Stern.
The Commission, however, deferred deciding on recommending possible changes to the park, instead forming a subcommittee to more closely analyze the issues. The subcommittee, a large group consisting of Commission members, city staff, police, neighborhood committee members and regular park users, will compile recommendations for the Commission to consider, hopefully at its Feb. 28 meeting.
"We've used this process in the past," said Currey. "It's akin to a workshop. In the cases we've done that, we've come to much better decisions."
Approximately 70 residents, most of whom live near the top or bottom of the park, attended the meeting at City Hall. They told horror stories about being awakened by dune exercisers with whistles and bullhorns when the park opens at 5:30 a.m., or having trash piled in their yard and cars blocking their driveways by inconsiderate people who come from out of the area to use the high profile park. They complained about parents dropping kids off in the tot lot while using the dune, and about large groups training on the dune who intimidate and inhibit other dune users. They also said that police enforcement of existing regulations and city ordinances regarding the park has been lax.
"The park has now become a terrible problem for the people who live there," 31st Street resident David Wachtfogel told the Commission. "Traffic, noise, crime. . .You need to take serious actions."
"The parks people's concept is to maximize use of parks and make [Sand Dune] available to as many as possible," he said. "No. Not in that area."
"It is not a regional park and not an athletic facility," added Bill Franchini. "It is a neighborhood park."
Sand Dune Park Neighborhood Committee spokesperson Dave Peterson noted that the park has been rebuilt on four separate occasions, getting nicer each time.
"We in the neighborhood are beginning to think it's gotten too nice," he said. "We fear the latest improvements will accelerate overuse of the park, all to the reduction in our quality of life."
At least four of the 20 people who spoke supported keeping the park substantially as is, gently chiding the vocal majority for their perceived attempts to exclude out-of-towners by suggesting restrictions from resident parking permits in the area to resident permits to use the dune.
"I've seen the people from out of town using the park," noted Peter McNeil. "Ninety-nine percent are great role models who are very respectful and polite."
"I've never had a problem at the park," added Cathy Holmes. "I'd like to see it left open for all people. It shouldn't be restricted to just those lucky enough and wealthy enough to live here." ER