Los Angeles Considers Reconnecting MacArthur Park by Closing Wilshire Boulevard

Los Angeles is exploring a significant urban redesign proposal that could see sections of Wilshire Boulevard permanently closed to reconnect MacArthur Park. The initiative, known as “Reconnecting MacArthur Park,” aims to unify the park, which has been divided since the boulevard was constructed through it in 1934.

Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez announced the city’s plans, highlighting the initiative as part of a broader commitment to neighborhood investment and the creation of safer, greener, and more welcoming public spaces. The project has completed its initial study phase and is now entering environmental review.

The Reconnecting MacArthur Park initiative received federal grant funding in early 2024 and has engaged in an extensive community consultation process since July 2024. The effort involves a collaboration between Councilmember Hernandez’s office, the nonprofit Central City Neighborhoods Partners (CCNP), the city’s Transportation Department (LADOT), and the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG). A team of consultants, led by Nelson\Nygaard, has been contracted to develop the plans.

Key facts
| Aspect | Detail |
|—|—|
| Initiative | Reconnecting MacArthur Park |
| Location | MacArthur Park, Los Angeles |
| Proposed Change | Permanent closure of sections of Wilshire Boulevard through the park |
| Goal | Reconnect park, create safer and greener public spaces |
| Current Stage | Environmental review |
| Funding Source | Federal grant |
| Lead Consultant | Nelson\Nygaard |

Restoring Park Space and Reducing Traffic

The “Neighborhood Transformation” alternative, which is the recommended option, proposes the permanent closure of Wilshire Boulevard not only through the park but also from Park View Street to Carondelet Street. This ambitious approach would restore approximately two acres to the park, transforming currently underutilised sloped areas and a tunnel that many park users reportedly avoid. Crucially, this alternative is designed to most effectively remove vehicular traffic from the park’s core and perimeter, significantly enhancing the pedestrian experience and the usable area for recreation.

The study evaluated five distinct alternatives, each with varying impacts on traffic and park accessibility:

Neighborhood Transformation: Permanently closes Wilshire Boulevard through the park and between Park View Street and Carondelet Street, restoring two acres to the park and removing car traffic from the park’s core. This is the recommended alternative.

Park Transformation: Removes Wilshire Boulevard through the park but keeps the section between Park View and Carondelet Street open to vehicles.

Weekend Play Street: Closes Wilshire Boulevard between Carondelet and Alvarado Street to all vehicles, including transit, only on weekends. This is recommended as a low-cost interim design.

Permanent Play Street: Permanently closes Wilshire Boulevard to all vehicles, including transit, creating space for community programming and play.

Bus Priority: Restricts Wilshire Boulevard to transit vehicles only, with wider sidewalks for pedestrians and cyclists.

Traffic and Environmental Review

All considered alternatives are projected to have impacts on car traffic, necessitating a detailed analysis. The phase 1 report dedicates considerable resources to evaluating these traffic impacts, with hundreds of pages in its appendices focused on drivers.

The next critical phase will be the comprehensive environmental review process. Under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), all five alternatives, along with a “no-build” concept, will undergo rigorous evaluation. This process will involve refining preliminary designs and developing more precise cost estimates for the restored and expanded park.

Community Engagement and Upcoming Events

The “Reconnecting MacArthur Park” initiative is also fostering community engagement through events. A “Park to Park” open streets event is scheduled for July 10th and 11th, where portions of Wilshire Boulevard from MacArthur Park to La Fayette Park will be closed to vehicles. This event aims to create a vibrant public space with vendors, music, arts, and opportunities for community gathering, offering a preview of a potentially car-free future for the area.

Source: Streetsblog LA, “L.A. City Reconnecting MacArthur Park Plan Calls for Closing Parts of Wilshire Boulevard,” https://la.streetsblog.org/2026/07/09/l-a-city-reconnecting-macarthur-park-plan-calls-for-closing-parts-of-wilshire-boulevard

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