𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗢𝗨𝗦𝗘𝗟 𝗠𝗔𝗚𝗜𝗖: Traci Park Spins Up Family Fun at Centennial Park

VENICE, Calif. — Saturday, May 2, 2026 — Families and community members gathered at Centennial Park on Saturday for a day of free activities and entertainment as the Venice Flying Carousel hosted a community celebration alongside the recently reopened Abbot Kinney Venice Public Library. The event took place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Centennial Park, located next to the library at 501 Venice Blvd., drawing children and adults for a full day of art, recreation, and neighborhood connection centered around one of Venice’s longtime community spaces. Free rides on the Venice Flying Carousel served as the centerpiece of the event, while visitors also took part in hands-on art-making, do-it-yourself carousel T-shirt printing, oversized bubble-making stations, and oceanarium-themed activities for children. A Naam yoga session and storybook reading time added to the family-friendly programming throughout the day. Artist Robin Murez, creator of the Venice Flying Carousel, described the project as a community-driven effort built with the help of friends, neighbors, and local experts. “It’s a fabulous community project,” Murez said. “Everybody can come print their own T-shirts and take them home. They’re free and permanent. We’re here celebrating the reopening of the Venice Public Library, and all of the animals of the carousel bring out stories of the history of Venice.” Murez said the carousel and the library share a connection through storytelling, noting that the carousel’s animal figures reflect pieces of Venice history that visitors can further explore inside the library. Los Angeles City Councilwoman Traci Park also attended the event and highlighted the transformation of Centennial Park, which she noted had previously been the site of a large encampment several years ago. “We are actively working on this park, and we are excited to see it activated today,” Park said. “It’s wonderful to see so many families out here enjoying it. We have big plans in store for revitalizing Centennial Park.” Park encouraged residents to visit the newly renovated Venice Public Library and emphasized the importance of restoring public spaces for families and neighborhood use. The gathering served both as a celebration of the library’s reopening and as a public showcase for ongoing efforts to reactivate Centennial Park as a family-friendly destination in the heart of Venice. Santa Monica Closeup continues documenting public events and community gatherings across Venice and the Westside.