The proposed fence would be a green wrought iron fence around the northern and southern sections of the park, enclosing Wilshire Boulevard sides and eight historically prominent corner ingress/egress points.
The process to build an iron fence around MacArthur Park has begun, and by December, proposals from contractors and consultants are expected to be evaluated to determine a construction date.
The measure was approved by a 4-0 vote from the Los Angeles Board of Recreation and Park Commissioners. The project will cost around $2.3 million.
Officials said the fence would help strengthen public safety amid ongoing challenges with homelessness and drug use.
The councilmember for District 1, where the park is located, has not issued an official statement on the matter.
MacArthur Park has recently been identified as a place where a large homeless and drug-using community has gathered. The community, activists, and politicians have criticized the city’s inaction in addressing this issue. Families and businesses in the area have expressed concern about the current conditions and the damage it has caused to the neighborhood.
In a report from the Department of Recreation and Parks, officials said they aim to:
*Improve flexibility in managing park hours,
*Improve oversight during off-hours, and
*Support long-term stewardship of the park.
The proposed fence would be a green wrought iron fence around the northern and southern sections of the park, enclosing Wilshire Boulevard sides and eight historically prominent corner ingress/egress points. The project would include gates at all access points, ensure compliance with building codes, and provide accessibility for emergency personnel, according to a report by KNX News.
“Over the years, MacArthur Park has remained a vital community gathering place, but it has also experienced ongoing public safety and quality-of-life challenges that make it difficult to maintain and sustain investments in the park,” the department report stated.
“In recent years, the Department of Recreation and Parks has worked with the Mayor’s Office, Council District 1, and the Los Angeles Police Department to develop strategies that balance safety, accessibility, and the preservation of the park’s historic character.”
“The proposed wrought iron perimeter fencing reflects this balanced approach. The intent of the fencing is not to limit access but to create a safer, more welcoming, and better-managed environment for park visitors and nearby residents,” the report reads.
Candidates for District 1 councilmember in the upcoming June 2026 elections have expressed concern about the condition of the park and blame the current councilmember for its deterioration.
Candidate Raúl Claros directly blamed the district leadership and the lack of resident involvement in discussions about the project.
Candidate Sylvia Robledo shared a similar view:
“There should be input from the MacArthur Park community in that neighborhood, such as a town hall meeting. Putting up a fence is a short-term solution with an expensive price tag,” she said.
“We need to provide drug treatment and mental health services for those in need.”
Another candidate, Lou Calanche, went further:
“If I were in charge, transforming MacArthur Park would be possible. Involve the community, bring in many, many after-school programs. That would increase the presence of people and organizations and help reduce crime.
“Sadly, the situation at MacArthur Park has reached a breaking point — it’s in very poor condition. With all the controversy surrounding it, many in the neighborhood now feel they have no choice but to support putting an iron fence around the park.
“Some mothers told me, ‘I don’t want to take my child to school and have to see naked men, needles, people doing drugs.’ And they’re right. No mother should be put in that situation. As councilmember, I’ll create the conditions for families to enjoy that space again,” Calanche said.
Dmitri Spider Davila, associate director of Community Health Project L.A., told KNX News the fence would not solve the park’s problems.
Davila said:
“If you can find millions of dollars to spend on a fence that solves nothing, please use that money on housing and services for those in the park. Fences push people out — often still in the same neighborhood — which makes it harder for us to find them and get them the medical care they need.”
Since 2023, Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez’s office, which serves District 1 (including downtown and northeast L.A.), has secured millions of dollars to improve the park and enhance safety for nearby residents — including at least $25 million in county, state, and federal grants.
Additionally, the councilmember allocated:
*$1 million for dedicated clean-up teams six days a week, and
*$950,000 for peace ambassadors working seven days a week, according to the radio station.
