Santa Monicas Should Be Enjoyed

Re “Limited Use of Santa Monicas Is Urged,” June 10: I am appalled by the elitist attitude of the National Park Service with respect to the Santa Monicas. This recreational area was assembled over the years at huge public expense as a much-needed urban wilderness, for city dwellers to be able to enjoy the wonders of the outdoors without having to travel great distances.

The expectation of the public, I believe, was that the enjoyment of these lands would be active and participatory, not just basking in the knowledge that it is there. Hiking, biking, horseback riding, picnicking, sports activities and other recreational pursuits are what people want to do, and they want to do these things on weekends, not at off-peak times when most people work.

While I do not favor any commercial development of these parklands, I certainly think that they should be developed with trails, picnic areas and so forth for optimum use by those who bought them. There are millions of acres of pristine wilderness in this country for the rich and mobile to visit. We need areas right here in our backyard where inner-city kids and others who have no backyards can go and enjoy.

Glenn Rosten

Los Angeles