Leadbetter Beach Park makeover begins

SANTA BARBARA, Calif.-Fencing went up around parts of Leadbetter Beach Park on Monday.

It is part of a $150,000 renovation project funded by the "The American Rescue Plan Act."

Santa Barbara Parks & Recreation posted signs with a QR code explaining the project at the beach park named after papermill baron Frederick W. Leadbetter.

Staff members said the park hasn't been renovated since the 1965.

The city hired several California contractors after putting the project out for bid.

One contractor will replace and level the grassy area while another will work on irrigation improvements.

Christie Stryker noticed the rent-a-fence while on one of her walks.

"I had seen that it was going to happen today and I think it is a good thing we need to have some improvement here for sure," said Stryker.

Stryker is looking forward to the grass being green again.

Bob Stout noticed the fencing before going for his regular ocean swim.

While waiting for his order at the Shoreline Beach Cafe, Stout said he didn't think it would hurt business at the cafe.

People from all over the world were enjoying the cafe known for its seating on the sand.

Mica Hase, who was sitting on a bench near the park said the city may want to rethink moving the trash cans inside the fencing.

Some people were seen throwing trash over the fence on Monday afternoon.

Hase who walks her dogs in the area said it would have been nice if they had planned the project to be done in phases, instead of all at once.

But city staff said the park will be busy in the new year and they hope to have the grass and picnic areas reopened by early January.

This is one of eleven Santa Barbara parks that received improvement funding.

About half of the park projects are still underway.

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