Danny Keller
Contributing Writer
Sand Dune Park was temporarily closed on Aug. 14, due to maintenance and neighborhood grievances about traffic, littering and noise. The park remains closed even though the maintenance is complete because of the complaints of numerous residents who say that the overcrowded park is a source of disruption.
Although some complaints are valid, there is no rational reason to keep Sand Dune sealed off.
Since its opening in 1965, the Sand Dune Park has been a hidden gem located within the Manhattan Beach tree section. Initially, only local residents used the 100-foot dune. Recently, however, fitness enthusiasts have discovered the park and found it to be a natural, free place to exercise. It now attracts a friendly, multicultural crowd.
This is not the first time the issue of closing the park has arisen. In 2002, a vocal minority living near the park wanted the Manhattan Beach City Council to close it down because of crowding, noise and littering. Instead, the council responded with increased parking and park personnel. These same issues are currently being debated yet again.
Permanently closing the park serves the interest of only a small percentage of city residents and takes away the park’s benefits the from all other residents who pay taxes to maintain it.
Most solutions to this issue would require the city to raise extra funds. It could do so by installing parking meters on Bell Avenue. If the city charged a dollar an hour for all the parking spots devoted to Sand Dune on Bell, they could potentially make hundreds of dollars per day.
An common complaint is overcrowding. The city could simply require reservations to climb on the dune, or, during peak hours, have a time limit and an admission fee. The fee would also help increase funding.
Littering is another chief complaint, but the city could hire more park personnel or have the Manhattan Beach City Maintenance come by the area more often to make sure Sand Dune is kept clean.
Sand Dune Park is closed from dawn until dusk, and there is always noise during the day. Families that live next to a park should expect that it will be loud.
If people began clogging up parking at the beach, residents on the Strand would most likely complain. The beach wouldn’t be closed, however, because it is a public asset that everyone should be able to enjoy. Sand Dune Park is no different.
Changes need to be made to ensure the sanctity of the park’s neighboring community. However, closing down Sand Dune would be a terrible mistake.
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