Santa Barbara’s Leadbetter Beach Park has reopened after a 12-week closure while the city replaced the turf, built new barbecues and made other improvements to the popular waterfront spot.
The city renovated the turf for the first time since 1965. The area was graded for a more level surface and the grass was replaced with a new variety called kikuyu.
It requires less water once the root system is established and is salt tolerant, which should help it to withstand year-round use, according to the city of Santa Barbara.
The turf renovation is part of an ongoing initiative to invest in the city’s green spaces after usage increased during and after the pandemic, according to the city’s news release.
The turf renovation was funded by the America Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), which provides state and local governments funding for services impacted during the pandemic. Other improvements were funded by the Parks Division budget, which is allocated within the city’s general fund.
Alameda Park, Alice Keck Park Memorial Garden, Chase Palm Park, Mission Historical Park, Oak Park, and Willowglen Park also received funding for renovations which were completed in 2023.
The waterfront department will be renovating nearby public restrooms later this year to be ADA compliant and to upgrade finishes to be more functional and comfortable, according to the city. Renovations will likely take 12 weeks and will be the facility’s first renovation of the facilities since they were constructed in 1969.
