One hundred years ago, world-famous architect, Daniel H. Burnham, often called the "Father of City Beautiful Movement" designed Granada for Ocean Shore Railroad as a showpiece resort town. Burnham invented the concept of "park chains" seen in Granada's broad tree-planted medians radiating down to the ocean-view Burnham Strip. Granada is Burnham's only completed town plan in the United States, and as such, is eligible for state historic landmark status.
In 1977 the El Granada Community Master Plan established the guiding principle for this land reflecting Burnham's vision by designating it as a community park: thus, its zoning "Community Open Space Conservation."
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The Burnham Strip Committee of Midcoast Park Lands wants to end this tug of war by leading the community to its acquisition. We are confident that a strongly engaged community and its developers can achieve this goal by local fund-raising to show the county and prospective grantors we really want this.
Finally, one owner is willing to sell his parcel, and we need to "do the right thing" and just buy it.
The Coastside has only a fraction of the recommended acreage of parkland per capita. This is not a luxury, this is a need.
It's a one-time investment with ongoing returns that far outstrip the initial cost. Across the nation, communities are finding that preservation of historic resources, creating greenways, parks and protecting scenic open spaces is the smart-growth choice and vital to the quality of life which fuels economic health.
The preservation of this green space as a community park has value beyond our ability to measure, but its loss would result in undeniable deterioration of the very character and identity of this area.
In survey after survey, home buyers identify nearby open spaces and trails as among the top features in choosing a home.
A poll for the President's Commission on Americans Outdoors found natural beauty and quality of view to be the most important criteria for tourists seeking outdoor recreation sites.
Envision an elegant greenway, the centerpiece of El Granada, with various uses such as a perimeter trail and an exercise course like San Francisco's Marina Green which would enhance the livability and add vibrancy to the area for the community and its visitors.
Landscapes reflect the values of their communities. This is a win-win for all. Together let's meet the challenge of saving the Daniel H. Burnham Strip.
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Leni Schultz is chair of the Burnham Strip Committee. To learn more, visit www.savethestrip.org.
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