YMCA Pumpkin Patch to Open at Simon Meadow

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

As summer turns to fall, Palisadians can look forward to the return of a beloved tradition that dates back four decades: The annual YMCA Pumpkin Patch is set to open at Simon Meadow on Thursday, October 2, and run through October 30.

“Come enjoy the YMCA Pumpkin Patch, the best pumpkin patch in the Palisades … since the 1980s,” Lowe Family YMCA Executive Director Jim Kirtley said to the Palisadian-Post. “We will have a large array of pumpkins, gourds and ornamental squash for everyone to enjoy.”

Special events set to take place at the patch, which serves as a fundraiser for the YMCA, include the Santa Monica College glass pumpkin sale on October 11. Proceeds from the sale will benefit the SMC Art Department, Lowe Family YMCA (previously named the Palisades-Malibu YMCA) and local artists.

“The SMC Glass Pumpkin Sales are wonderful opportunities to buy handcrafted glass pumpkins,” read information about the event. “Each pumpkin is a truly unique work of art that can enhance fall-season home and office decor, as well as satisfy holiday and year-round gift needs.”

There will also be a Winding Way art installation on display, including “upcycled scarecrows and branch webs,” artist Cindy Simon described.

“Winding Way will have a fun art installation brought to you by Cindy Simon, let the little ones try to make it through the Hay Maze or take a family photo with one of our displays,” Kirtley continued. “Make memories at your YMCA Pumpkin Patch.”

This year, the patch hours will be Monday through Friday from 3 to 6 p.m., as well as Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“We thought it was of vital importance to have the Y Pumpkin Patch for the kids and families to continue to make memories like we all have made in the past,” Kirtley said.

YMCA will also host a “mini pumpkin patch” at Palisades Charter Elementary School’s Yeehaw Day, which will take place on October 18 at the Brentwood Elementary Science Magnet campus.

The patch will also host school field trips on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays for interested programs.

In addition to a truckload of pumpkins, there will be a selection available grown by Palisadian Jessica Rogers with the help of Bruce Schwartz.

“I grew these pumpkins on my burned down lot to bring joy to my land, spark the interest of my neighbors, light up children’s faces as they walked by and help heal my grief,” Rogers said. “It was a tremendous success. Bruce says I am now a farmer.”

Each year, Schwartz partners with local spaces, including Theatre Palisades, to plant a batch of pumpkins to grow for the patch. This year, following the Palisades fire, Rogers volunteered to grow the pumpkins.

“The pumpkins were a huge attraction on my street,” she described. “People more often than not would slow down or stop their cars to look at the pumpkins, which were such a contrast to the dark empty lots. The little pumpkin patch put a smile on everyone’s face and was an incredibly good conversation starter.”

Rogers said the experience allowed her to meet new neighbors. She described spending “many hours listening to survivor stories.”

“The pumpkins proved to be a safe place to make casual conversation while also healing our hearts from the heaviness around us,” she said. “There will be more opportunities to create joy as we rebuild and grow our hearts stronger and more resilient.”

Simon Meadow is located at 15551 W. Sunset Boulevard.