Santa Monica saw many new — albeit temporary parks — on Park[ing] Day on Friday. Of course, compared to most of the LA area, Santa Monica’s very park-rich already. 90% of Santa Monica residents live just a half mile from a park!

That, however, doesn’t meet the city’s sustainability goals. At the Santa Monica Sustainable City Report Card update on Thursday — an event my friend Traci (above) helped put together — I learned Santa Monica’s aim’s much more aggressive: To have 100% of Santa Monica residents live a quarter mile from a park.

Those stats and goals, plus much more, are in Santa Monica’s fourth annual Sustainable City Report Card — the city’s annual self-assessment effort. Gradewise, not that much has changed from last year. Of the six categories, only two changed: The Resource Conservation category went from a C to a C+, and Housing went from a D to a C.

Still, it’s good to see that Santa Monica’s staying on target on aggressive, but hopefully achievable, sustainability goals. What’s unique about this Report is that it takes into account not just environmental issues, but also economic and human dignity concerns, looking at everything from water conservation to the availability of affordable housing.

Missed the update? Check out and get more details on the Report here. And don’t miss the many eco-oriented events happening in Santa Monica this next week! Stop by, and you’ll get one of these compact reusable bags (right), free!

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