City Services are Here for You as We Enter the Sixth Month of the Pandemic

August 3, 2020 1:49 PM
by Constance Farrell

As we enter the sixth month of the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re all coping with the realities of virus mitigation for the foreseeable future. For those who aren’t working in open business or who aren’t essential workers,  that means working from home and for many families with children, schooling at home as well. If you lost your job due to the pandemic or are caring for a senior family member or anyone with special needs, the challenges are even greater. To essential and healthcare workers, we extend gratitude for the dedication and care you’ve shown to local patients and their families.  

As COVID-19 changes our society and the course of history, the City of Santa Monica wants to be sure residents know we are here for the Santa Monica community. All of our departments are working to keep the community clean and safe, to provide essential services, and to expedite safe and sustained economic recovery. While City Hall may be closed, City team members are hard at work in the field and working remotely to provide the services you rely on.  

In case you haven’t been tracking the closing and reopening of city programs and services, we would like to provide an update here so you a quick reference and don’t miss out on opportunities. You can get a comprehensive view of this and the latest updates at santamonica.gov/coronavirus-reopenings.  

Please understand that all reopening plans are subject to change at the direction of LA County Public Health and the State of California. We are closely monitoring the seven-day average of COVID-19 cases and testing positivity rate, which is currently at 8.4% countywide, to make adjustments to our plans.  

We all have the incredible power to do our part to stop the spread of COVID-19. No matter where you are, if you are outside your home, wear a face covering, don’t gather in groups and continue practicing physical distancing and frequent hand washing.  

Recreation 

• The Cove Skate Park at Memorial Park will reopen on Tuesday, August 5 for Monday – Saturday operations.  More Info
• Safe reopening plans for the Santa Monica Swim Center are in progress with lap swim and lessons available for Tuesday – Saturday operations by appointment only. More Info
• Annenberg Community Beach House’s parking lot, restrooms, water fountains, wi-fi, and accessible walkway to the beach are open, as is the Back on the Beach Café. The remainder of the site is not open to the public, including the pool.  
• We have issued permits for surf camps and beach yoga classes, in accordance with LA County requirements. All outdoor licensed fitness instructors are required to bring their services in alignment with public health guidelines. 
• All beach parking lots are open  
• Santa Monica Pier is open for physically distanced strolling and select businesses are open for outdoor services.  
• Tennis courts at Ocean View, Reed Park, Memorial Park, Clover Park, Douglas Park, Los Amigos Park, Marine Park are open 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. No reservations will be taken for these courts.  Private instruction by permit only.  Please call (310) 458-8237 to verify instructor permits. At Colorado Center Park, the East Court only is open for singles play from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m., 7 days a week. Reservations for the East Court can be made on Bookmycourt.com. 

Learning and Enrichment 

• The Santa Monica Public Library resumed services through contactless pickup service at the Main branch. Curbside pick up will begin at the Pico branch on Wednesday, August 5.  
• Day camps have resumed to support Santa Monica youth, but are at capacity with existing registrants. These include CREST, PAL, and Virginia Avenue Park. 
• Fall direct services programs at CREST, PAL and Virginia Avenue Park are in the planning stage with more information to come in the next two weeks. 
• The Camera Obscura Art Lab is offering online workshops with our artists-in-residents, Chuck Hohng and Matt Reynolds. Learn more about upcoming online artmaking workshops and join our artists on August 27th for an online exhibit of new work produced at the Camera by visiting santamonica.gov/arts/camera-obscura-art-lab. 
• Beach=Culture events have gone virtual! Join the Annenberg Beach House and Red Hen Press for online readings and literary discussions.  Our next poetry reading, East Coast Vibes on a West Coast Beach celebrates summer on both coasts. Join us on Wednesday August 26, 2020 at santamonica.gov/arts/beach-culture. 
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Housing and Food 

• It's not too late to apply to the City’s Below Market Housing waitlist. The waitlist is open, and opportunities are available, particularly for households earning moderate income, seniors, and individuals living with a disability. Visit santamonica.gov/housing-apply. 
• School-aged children can receive free summer lunches at Virginia Avenue Park through August 14 between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.  
• The COVID-19 Emergency Pantry at Virginia Avenue Park in partnership with the Westside Food Pantry offers pre-assembled bags of groceries and fresh produce to low-income Santa Monica residents and/or families with children enrolled in SMMUSD schools. To schedule an appointment, call (424) 410-1354, Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. 
• The Pico Farmers Market reopened August 8. The Downtown Farmers Market is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays. 

More Services 

• Critical in-person services formerly offered at City Hall have all gone virtual, including things like plan review and permits. See the services list at santamonica.gov/coronavirus-reopenings. 
• The City Clerks Office is conducting drive-thru pickup of election paperwork and will conduct in-person paper drop-off meetings by appointment.  
• All of our departments are available for your customer service needs. Check the department main number on smgov.net to get connected. If you have a service request, complete a Santa Monica Works request.  There may be delays in response for requests that are not related to life safety given our organizational restructuring as a result of COVID-19.  

Circumstances change quickly with COVID-19. Get the latest by signing up for the City’s weekly community newsletter at www.santamonica.gov/newsletter and don’t forget to sign up for emergency alerts, including reminders about street sweeping at www.santamonica.gov/alerts.  

Authored By

Constance Farrell
Communications & Public Information Manager