About Us

Who we are and what we do

Formed in 1989, Friends of Sunset Park is a non-profit 501c4 neighborhood organization dedicated to working for the collective interests of all Sunset Park residents. Over the years our dedicated volunteers have worked to improve the quality of life in Sunset Park by striving to improve community safety and reduce crime, reduce cut-through traffic and parking intrusions, improve safety and reduce noise and air pollution at Santa Monica Airport, minimize the impacts of commercial development in our neighborhood, enhance public recreation facilities, and work with our local schools to support quality education for our children.

Our Accomplishments

FOSP works hard to improve the quality of life in Sunset Park. With more active members, we can have greater influence in solving problems that affect our neighborhood. Join us!

Crime and Public Safety: FOSP emails Crime Mapping summaries to our members each month and keeps in contact with the SMPD Neighborhood Resource Officer and Crime Prevention Coordinator for Beat 2.

Emergency Preparedness: FOSP encourages residents to sign up for SM Alerts, get a kit, have a plan, and participate in CERT classes. Links to that information is posted on the “Public Safety” page of our web site. 

Traffic, Pedestrian Safety, and Parking: FOSP got additional crossing guards assigned near neighborhood schools. We supported preferential parking near the SMC Main Campus, and we successfully lobbied to protect the neighborhood from cut-through traffic between the SMC Bundy Campus and the Main Campus. FOSP also successfully lobbied for a Sunset Park traffic study.

Airport Safety: In 2000, FOSP helped secure stricter noise-limit enforcement and higher fines at Santa Monica Airport (SMO). In 2008, we successfully lobbied the City Council to ban C and D jets. (The FAA prevented implementation of the jet ban.) In 2013, we supported increased landing fees, which reduced “touch and go” landings and takeoffs. In 2014, the FOSP Board supported Measure LC, and it supports Airport 2 Park. In 2017, the City Council announced an agreement with the FAA which allowed the city to shorten the 5,000’ runway by 1,500’ to 3,500’ (thereby reducing jet traffic by about 80%) and which will allow the city to close the airport on January 1, 2029. 

Controlling Development: FOSP helped stop large commercial developments on the NW corner of Pico and Cloverfield, on Airport Avenue, and at the old Marion Davies estate on PCH, making possible the Virginia Avenue Park expansion, Airport Park, and the Annenberg Community Beach Club.  In 2014, we successfully opposed the Hines Bergamot Transit Village (7,000 daily car trips). IN 2016, the FOSP Board supported Measure LV to require voter approval for large development projects. In 2019, we opposed relocating Public Landscape Maintenance staff and heavy equipment to airport land next to homes.

Protecting the Environment: FOSP encourages residents to participate in Christmas tree recycling, paper shredding, electronics recycling, the annual citywide yard sale, and safe disposal of hazardous household waste.   

Working with City Officials: FOSP communicates regularly with city officials. The City Manager, City Council members, Police Chief, Fire Chief, Public Works Director, Airport Director, Planning Director, Transportation Planning Manager, City Traffic Engineer, Director of Transit Services, heads of Emergency Management, Urban Forester, and other city staff have come to FOSP meetings to address residents’ concerns.

Working with Other Organizations: FOSP members have served on the City Council and on the Airport, Arts, Housing, Landmarks, Planning, Recreation and Parks, Senior Community, and Social Services Commissions,  Architectural Review Board, Urban Forest Task Force, Lincoln Blvd. Task Force, Pico/Lincoln Action Team, Pico Improvement Organization, SMC Board of Trustees, SMC Citizens Bond Oversight Committee, SMMUSD Board of Education, Santa Monica Coalition for a Livable City, Residocracy, Santa Monica Coalition for a Livable City, the Santa Monica Transparency Project, and the Santa Monica Neighborhood Council.