estrictions[edit]

A fight to close down the sand dune portion of the park or restrict its access came
to a head in 2009 when neighbors came out in opposition to the sand dune over
noise, traffic and overcrowding concerns. Several City Council meetings addressed
the issues involved, and the sand dune was closed and fenced. After negotiation, it
was reopened in August 2010 after the implementation of substantial use mitigation
measures.[3]

Currently, use of the sand dune portion of the park is by reservation only, which
must be made in advance at City Hall, a little over a mile away during business
hours. The entrance to the fenced area is supervised during scheduled hours. The
city has found the restrictions to be a treasure trove of revenue, heavily fining
violators of the restrictions (including non-residents who are unaware of the
rigidity of the restrictions) hundreds of dollars for a single violation.

Next to the dune is an un-restricted set of 208 steps that look like an attractive
alternative, though there are signs that read "No Jogging." Fines are higher for
jogging on the steps. As such, the city regularly sends police to watch for
violators. When questioned, enforcement officials seem to distinguish between
jogging and walking, the rules sound very close to those of International
Racewalking, requiring one foot to be on the ground at all times.[4]

I live nine houses away from the park and I had no idea a ticket for this is
actually $600 . . . This amount of money is ridiculous and excessive.
A group of residents was formed to advocate for more recreational usage. A study
showed the fencing and restrictions were keeping people away, usage down 45%. As a
response, the city kept the restrictions, but opened up a few additional usage
slots in late 2011.[5]

Notable users[edit]
The park has been used by Troy Polamalu of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Thomas Mayo of
the NY Jets, former UCLA defensive back Kirk Alexander, Kobe Bryant, Andrew Bynum
and several of their Los Angeles Lakers teammates "past and present". Paul Pierce
of the Los Angeles Clippers, Tony Gonzalez of the Atlanta Falcons and "any number
of NHL players, USC and UCLA football players, volleyball players, boxers,
fighters, sprinters and WNBA players" have also "taken on the dune, sharing the
sand with a steady stream of weekend warriors."[1]

Flora[edit]
Chaenactis glabriuscula var. orcuttiana Orcutt's yellow pincushion, is a rare
native plant limited to the coastal dunes of southern California. The Bell Avenue
Sand Dune Park in Manhattan Beach and the Ballona Wetlands each had var. orcuttiana
populations newly discovered in Spring 2010.[6][7] The variety is listed by the
California Native Plant Society as endemic to California coastal dunes ecosystems
and significantly declining.[8][9]