April 20, 2025 Your Source for Brentwood News

Meet Brentwood: A Q-and-A With The Brentwood Park Property Owners’ Association

Dr. Mary Ann Lewis. Photo by Mariella Rudi.
Dr. Mary Ann Lewis. Photo by Mariella Rudi.

Supposedly modeled after Golden Gate Park, Brentwood Park has a storied past hidden among its verdant streets and country-like estates.

Rather than calling themselves a homeowners association, the Brentwood Park Property Owners’ Association (BPPOA) wanted to relay the value of the neighborhood onto the land, not the houses, according to Dr. Mary Ann Lewis, co-president of the association along with Dr. Dan Khani.

The BPPOA was formed in 1942 to protest the splitting of lots from 100 feet to 50 feet. The fight to preserve the unique character of the neighborhood resulted in a zoning change by the Los Angeles City Council to prohibit any lot division of less than 20,000 square feet.

Named after William Lynton Brent, investor in the development project, “Brentwood Park was laid out with wide streets and a number of traffic circles. Its influence on the rest of the area was such that gradually, over the next 30 years, the entire area became known as Brentwood,” writes West Los Angeles historian Jan Loomis in her book “Brentwood (Images of America: California).”

Currently, there are 495 lots, 15 of which are double or triple lots. Approximately three quarters of Brentwood Park, or affectionately, Park, families belong to the BPPOA.

Westside Today caught up with Dr. Lewis to learn more about Brentwood Park’s past and present, and what the neighborhood’s future depends on. 

What makes your area unique?

Lewis: Brentwood Park – “360 acres extending from San Vicente Road to the scenic Santa Monica Canyon” – was advertised in the Los Angeles Times, Sunday, March 4, 1906 as “the Handsomest Residential Park West of Chicago.”

Brentwood's first advertisement in the L.A. Times. Courtesy photo.
Brentwood’s first advertisement in the L.A. Times. Courtesy photo.

Brentwood Park was one of the first subdivisions along San Vicente Boulevard and had 34 planted-islands scattered throughout the Park. In 1916, to obtain municipal services, the residents of the Park voted to be annexed by the City of Los Angeles with the expectation that the City would help to maintain the islands. However in 1926 when the City installed storm drains, sewers, and paved/curved the streets, all but eight of the islands remained.

In 1956 when Sunset Boulevard was straightened, cutting through the circle, only three circles and four ovals remained. Today, these are the Park’s borders: east is Westside of Canyon View, west is 26th St., south is San Vicente, and north is North Rockingham, curving around to North Cliffwood, not including Oakmont. 

The BPPOA, with its members, has worked to maintain the beauty of the Park not only in lot size but the care and maintenance of the trees and circles.

Describe the types of homes and residents.

Homes in the Park represent all types of designs and styles. However with the mansionzation [issue], huge houses are being built; some are square boxes and not at all attractive. 

What is an advantage of living in your area that you can’t get elsewhere in Los Angeles?

We are close to the Country Mart and all that 26th Street shopping offers, as well as all that we love on San Vicente. Another is that we are close to Santa Monica, Venice, Westwood, Pacific Palisades, and most of all, 26 blocks from the Pacific Ocean. We have the Getty, both in Brentwood and the Pacific Palisades. 

What is the biggest issue facing the area today?

Traffic! It is impossible to leave the Park after 2 pm on weekdays. Sunset and San Vicente boulevards, and 26th Street, are all like parking lots. Going downtown to the theatre for plays and concerts is a nightmare, which means many of us just don’t go anymore.

What kind of policies would you like to see put in place as soon as possible?

This is a tough question, given that the Santa Monica work force uses the 405 north and south to get to and from work. The same is true for the Pacific Palisades.    

It’s tough because it takes many groups in order to make policy happen. And it’s difficult because of the way West L.A. is laid out. There are only a few ways to get out of West L.A.; There’s Olympic, Pico, Santa Monica, Wilshire, San Vicente, and Sunset boulevards.

In a given day 15,000 cars come and go. The physical layout doesn’t make it possible to really streamline everything. If they had cops directing traffic and moving things that would help a lot. We know that because they did that for a very short period on Sunset and Barrington.

What environmental impacts affect the area?

Helicopters 24/7, and the motorcyclists going east and west on Sunset Boulevard at all hours of the night.

The helicopter noise pollution is a real nuisance and apparently a city-wide issue. They go right through Brentwood. When it’s fires or a disaster, it’s one thing, but sometimes we don’t know what they’re doing.

What are some violations than can land a resident in hot water with the HOA?

Failure to follow the City codes and restrictions for setbacks from the street. These are not Brentwood Park rules; they are for the City to handle. If we were a restricted community then we could do something, but we’re not anymore.

What membership benefits do residents have? (Monthly meetings? Events? Etc.)

We have an Annual Meeting and periodic social get-togethers, and most recently we have e-mail, Nextdoor Brentwood Park, which makes it possible to greet new residents, and communicate about services, lost pets, etc.

If you had one wish that you would want the City to fix, what would it be?

Traffic! Traffic cops could help to keep cars moving in the right directions. 

What was the biggest news story to come out of your area in the past few years?

How many years since the O.J. Simpson trial?  We still have visitors driving in the area asking where he lived. It was like we were Disneyland [during the trial.] We had people from all over the world, traveling, who wanted to know where they lived. When I walked my dogs they would stop me and asked where O.J. Simpson lived. In wintertime we still have cars that stop me to find out where the house is.

Now, it is which presidential candidate is visiting to raise campaign funds. President Obama has been here how many times, and Hillary Clinton is visiting this week. 

Related Posts

(Video) Malibu Discovery Party at Santa Monica Place

April 18, 2025

April 18, 2025

Desserts by Copenhagen Bakery. North Italia Restaurant. Rosenthal Winery. Bristol Farms. Beautiful Sea Creatures. Chrysalis. Desserts by Copenhagen Bakery. North...

Courtroom Fireworks Amid Delay Next Phase in Menendez Case on Thursday

April 18, 2025

April 18, 2025

Prosecutors, Defense Trade Barbs as Menendez Resentencing Hits Snag Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Michael Jesic has postponed a...

Experience Poetry Like Never Before at the Getty Center’s Central Garden

April 18, 2025

April 18, 2025

The Series Invites Visitors to Explore Art, Nature, and Sound in Harmony The Getty Center will host a new outdoor...

Newsom, Bonta Seek Court Ruling to Void Trump’s Tariffs and Economic Crisis

April 17, 2025

April 17, 2025

Economic Fallout Prompts California Lawsuit Against Trump’s Tariffs California Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta filed a lawsuit...

Brentwood Weekly Crime Report: April 4, 2025 – April 11, 2025

April 17, 2025

April 17, 2025

The Latest List of Crimes Committed in the Brentwood Area By Senior Lead Officer Matthew Kirk After a relatively light...

Film Review: The Shrouds

April 17, 2025

April 17, 2025

By Dolores Quintana Canada’s cinematic maestro of body horror’s newest film is The Shrouds. While it is not a traditional...

The Godfrey Hotel Hollywood Pours on the Charm with New Afternoon Tea

April 17, 2025

April 17, 2025

Organic Teas, Sweet Treats, Artisan Touches to Relax in Style  A block south of Sunset Boulevard, The Godfrey Hotel Hollywood...

(Video) Matū Kai Brentwood Friends and Family Dinner

April 16, 2025

April 16, 2025

Matü Old Fashioned: Bourbon, Maple Syrup, Bitters, and a Burnt Orange Peel. Amazing 24-Hour Bone Broth. Look at that steam....

Global Ramen Restaurant Expands in LA with New Culver City and Vegan West Hollywood Outposts

April 16, 2025

April 16, 2025

From Tonkotsu to Tofu: Restaurant’s Dual Openings Cater to Every Ramen Craving International ramen powerhouse Ippudo has opened its newest...

Brazilian Steakhouse Fogo de Chão Opens in Santa Monica With Ocean Views

April 16, 2025

April 16, 2025

Santa Monica’s Newest Restaurant Serves Steak With a Side of Charity Fogo de Chão, the Brazilian steakhouse known for its...

Jack Black Confronts ‘Minecraft’ Mayhem with Surprise Theater Appearance

April 16, 2025

April 16, 2025

Black’s Surprise Appearance Follows a Week of Wild Audience Behavior Actor Jack Black unexpectedly appeared at an AMC Century City...

Brentwood Green Community Play Space Returns for Brentwood and Palisades Residents

April 16, 2025

April 16, 2025

Westside Families Invited Back to Brentwood Green After Hiatus After several months of closure, Brentwood Green at Brentwood Science Magnet...

Mental Health Workers Conclude Hunger Strike Amid Six-Month Labor Dispute

April 16, 2025

April 16, 2025

Strikers Receive Support from Rock Star and WeHo City Councilmember Eight mental health care workers ended their five-day hunger strike...

Malibu Discovery Celebrates 15 Years With Seaside Wonderland Bash in Santa Monica

April 16, 2025

April 16, 2025

Cocktails, Community, and a Cause: Seaside Wonderland Arrives April 17 Malibu Discovery will celebrate its 15th anniversary with a community-focused...

Westwood Hit-and-Run Leaves Pedestrian Dead, Driver Still at Large

April 15, 2025

April 15, 2025

Police Seek Public’s Help Identifying Driver of Car That Fled the Scene Detectives with the Los Angeles Police Department’s West...