New look for a world famous shared path in Santa Monica
A popular California pathway has a new look.
SWA Group has completed its upgrade of the North Beach Trail, a popular pathway along two miles of Santa Monica’s coastal promenade.
Santa Monica is famous for its beach culture, and the promenade attracts scores of tourists, cyclists and pedestrians. However, its popularity endangers users of different modes and speeds of travel due to its narrow pathways.
The North Beach Trail is hugely popular with locals and tourists. Images by Jonnu Singleton/SWA Group.
One of the trails running through the development is the Marvin Braude Bike Trail, commonly referred to as “The Strand”, which runs from Mexico to Oregon, but has become congested and dangerous for users in recent years.
By widening and strengthening the promenade, the designers have allowed it to safely accommodate everyone.
Cyclists and pedestrians are separated, and the deteriorating asphalt trail extending from the base of the Santa Monica Pier north to Will Rogers State Beach has been upgraded.
New, custom-designed concrete bollards are shaped to echo nearby cliffs, and the physical barrier they create prevents pedestrians and cyclists from mingling.
Barrier openings also mark the promenade crossings, allowing cyclists to anticipate pedestrian traffic.
The base of the Santa Monica Pier is still being upgraded.
Graphics double as placemaking and way-finding elements. Six living elements, “metrics of nature”, are depicted graphically on the pavement to represent each crossing: a Snowy plover, Catalina Miraposa Lily, El Segundo Blue butterfly, Coast horned lizard, turtle, and kelp.
Some are as large as 70 feet, and include information signage in English, Spanish and Braille. These help people to know where they are, and find places to meet.
An example of the way-finding graphics which have been added to the path.
Other improvements are still under construction, including the base of the pier and a parking lot that lacked clear and safe pedestrian navigation.
SWA Group, with the support of the City of Santa Monica, conducted community outreach in order to remain transparent and engage locals with the design process, as the 16-acre amenity has a wide range of stakeholders.
Santa Monica beach is a beloved attraction.