1. Develop and maintain a sufficient open space system so that it is diverse in uses and opportunities and includes natural function/wildlife habitat as well as passive and active recreation with an equitable distribution of parks, trees and pathways throughout the community.
2. Implement land use and transportation planning and policies to create compact, mixed-use projects, forming urban villages designed to maximize affordable housing and encourage walking, bicycling and the use of existing and future public transit systems.
3. Residents recognize that they share the local ecosystem with other living things that warrant respect and responsible stewardship.

How are we doing? 
                                                          

In the face of increasing real estate prices and construction costs, the maintenance and expansion of the city’s open space over the last decade is remarkable.  The city opened both Airport Park and Euclid Park this year.  Together, they represent more than 8.3 acres of park space. Airport Park is the first new park in Santa Monica since 1983 and Euclid Park is a newly renovated “backyard” park in a densely-populated neighborhood.

A Beach Greening project at the southern end of the 2030 Ocean Avenue Beach parking lot and planned improvements at REED Park are also proceeding.  Santa Monica’s urban forest has grown in number and has diversified the average age and species of the trees.    Park accessibility continues to be outstanding with almost 90% of residents living within ½ mile of a park or open space. A number of mixed-use development projects that combine housing, office and retail space have been built which can help reduce traffic and parking congestion and encourage walking and transit use.  The consistent grade reflects the city’s ongoing commitment to maintaining a sufficient and diverse open space system as well as the continued efforts to create land use and transportation policies that promote mixed-use, transit-oriented development.