In a ceremony on April 22, 1st District Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez announced plans to break ground later this year on a new project which will bring a water feature - and stormwater capture infrastructure - to MacArthur Park. 

The $40-million project, funded by Measure W, will allow MacArthur Park's lake to rely on diverted, treated stormwater runoff after completion. While much of the cost associated with the project will go toward underground infrastructure, its above-ground presence will be in the form of a new cascading water feature, lined with shaded seating areas, landscaping, and walking paths, as well as a pedestrian bridge.

View looking southStudio-MLA

The Studio-MLA-designed project would be built over a period of 22 months, according to an environmental study. Completion is projected to commence in Fall 2026.

“This is a major investment in the long-term health of the park, bringing new amenities for the community, and building on our work to address decades of underinvestment in a park that serves as the front and backyard for thousands of families,” said Hernandez in a news release. “This project is a direct result of voter-approved Measure W, driven by Angelenos who called for solutions to improve water quality, strengthen our local water supply, and invest in green infrastructure in communities that need it most. I’m grateful for the collaboration between the City and County to deliver this work and bring real, lasting improvements to the Westlake community.”

Tree planting at MacArthur ParkGary Leonard

The project is expected to treat 244 acre feet of stormwater each year, and save the use of 9 million in potable water for MacArthur Park on an annual basis.

The addition of the water features comes at a time of ongoing concerns regarding public safety surrounding MacArthur Park. Officials with the Department of Recreation and Parks recently voted to move forward on plans to wrap MacArthur Park with green wrought-iron fencing in response.

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