*A previous petition circulated - "Restore Yvonne B. Burke Park Access for Marina Pointe Residents" - that petition was strictly to preserve the private access for the residents who live the The Azzura, The Cove, and The Regatta condominiums.

THIS petition is for EVERYONE in our community.*

For more than seven years, members of the Marina del Rey community—residents, families, children, cyclists, joggers, pet owners, and older adults—have relied on open access to the Yvonne B. Burke Park and the Marvin Braude Trail. This pathway has served as a vital link for recreation, transportation, and public health, connecting our neighborhoods to the coastline and local amenities.

Recently, this critical access point was blocked with a permanent cinder block barrier, cutting off a pathway that had been openly and continuously used by the public for years. The closure was made without community input and without consideration for the thousands of people who have safely used this route daily.

Why This Matters

This path was not a hidden shortcut—it was a well-used and widely known route that served the entire public. Its closure disrupts safe access for:

• Commuters and recreational users of the Marvin Braude Trail, one of Los Angeles County’s most important bike and pedestrian corridors.
• Seniors, people with disabilities, and families with strollers or pets who now must take longer, more hazardous routes along congested roads.
• Residents and visitors who rely on this path for safe, car-free travel between the park, local restaurants, beaches, and homes.
• Restricting access not only creates a public safety issue—it undermines the integrity of our shared public spaces.

Legal and Historical Basis

This closure also ignores the clear precedent of prescriptive easement rights under California law. A prescriptive easement may be established when the use of land has been:

• Open and notorious – The community’s use of this pathway was visible and well known.
• Continuous and uninterrupted – The path remained open for over 7 years, well past the 5-year legal threshold.
• Hostile – Use occurred without express permission, consistent with public access to a shared community space.

All three conditions are met in this case. The sudden obstruction of a path long understood to be public violates both the spirit of community planning and the established norms of fair land use.

What We’re Asking

We respectfully urge local authorities, the County Board of Supervisors, and relevant stakeholders to:

• Immediately remove the barrier blocking access to the Yvonne B. Burke Park and Marvin Braude Trail.
• Acknowledge and affirm the public’s prescriptive right to access the path.
• Prioritize safe, equitable, and inclusive access for all community members—especially those with limited mobility or other vulnerabilities.
• This is not simply about convenience. This is about protecting safe, equitable access to our public spaces and honoring the long-standing community use of a vital thoroughfare.

Sign this petition to support restoring open, safe, and legal access to the Yvonne B. Burke Park and Marvin Braude Trail for the entire Marina del Rey community.