The Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Commission Thursday voiced their concerns over a proposed project to install a fence around MacArthur Park, arguing it would alter a cultural historic monument that has been an open landscape for Angelenos and visitors to enjoy more for than 100 years.
The Cultural Heritage Commission briefly discussed a letter Thursday morning in which they expressed their opposition to the project. The letter was sent to the Los Angeles Board of Parks and Recreation, which is overseeing the proposed fencing project.
“While the Commission is sympathetic to the Department of Recreation and Parks’ operational challenges and safety concerns, the commission is apprehensive about the concept of closing off a civic monument to the public,” according to an August 17 letter signed by Cultural Heritage Commission President Barry Milofsky.
“More specifically, the commission questions the appropriateness of the apparent permanency of the fence, as well as the height, proposed to be between 8- and 11-fet at various sections,” the letter continued.
Cultural Heritage Commission members note that while the park is outside of its jurisdiction, the issue at present parallels those that impacted Echo Park, another historic-cultural monument. In March 2021, a temporary chain-link fence was installed around the park, and the fence was removed two years later in March 2023. The fence was installed as a means to address a large homeless encampment that took over the park, and it was later removed under the direction of City Councilman Hugo Soto-Martinez, who represents the area.
The Cultural Heritage Commission urged the Department of Recreation and Parks to explore other options to address concerns at MacArhtur Park. If fencing turns out to be the best approach, the commission called for a temporary one — and at a much lower height, which could have less visual impact on the historic landscape.
“We welcome the opportunity for staff to come back to present a revised design or alternate proposal for our review at a future public meeting. In addition, as a major, publicly funded investment on City property, the Commission believes it is important that the proposed project also be reviewed by the Cultural Affairs Commission,” according to the letter.
A representative for the Department of Recreation and Parks did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
On July 16, the Department of Recreation and Parks and representatives of Tetra Tech, a consulting firm, presented details of the project to the Cultural Heritage Commission. The $2.3 million fencing project aims to address long-standing safety and maintenance issues while keeping the park open and accessible for visitors.
Recreation and park staff have described this effort as finding a “balanced approach” to maintain safety without restricting public use. Conceptual plans call for the use of green wrought-iron fencing around the park, with gated entrances at eight entry points.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and City Councilwoman Eunisses Hernandez, who represents Westlake and MacArthur Park, both have expressed support for the proposed fencing, arguing that it could help reduce crime and overall make it easier to maintain the park.
The pair of elected officials have taken steps to make MacArthur Park safer and cleaner. Hernandez has allocated millions to fund clean teams and homeless outreach services dedicated to the park and unhoused people in the area.
Starting in May, Los Angeles Police Department officers and federal officials have conducted a series of law enforcement sweeps of MacArthur Park, in what has been called “Operation Free MacArthur Park.” The operation aims to crack down on what authorities have described as an “open-air drug market” operating in the area.
City officials said the proposed fencing is in the hands of the Department of Recreation and Parks and its associated board.
“To our knowledge, the project remains in the design phase with a consultant, and construction has not begun. Once the design is complete, Rec and Parks anticipates bringing the proposal before the Board of Recreation and Park Commissioners for consideration, potentially next month or in October. The project does not require approval from a City Council committee or the full City Council,” according to city officials.
The park is home to several historical pieces such as the Hungarian Freedom Fighters Memorial, Judy Simonian’s Pyramids, a monument dedicated to Archbishop Oscar A. Romero and a statue of Harrison Gray Otis.
The park is located at 2230 West Sixth St. in the Westlake District. Divided into two sections by Wilshire Boulevard, it was constructed in the 1930s, featuring a lake, playground, grass slopes and paved walkways.