MacArthur Park Fence Work Starts Nov. 16 on the North Side

Crews will work weekdays from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. until fall 2027, and the park stays open the whole time.

Starting Monday, Nov. 16, crews will begin putting an 8-foot green metal fence around MacArthur Park. They're starting on the north half, between W. 6th St. and Wilshire Boulevard.

The city set that date in a Nov. 4 announcement, and the work is scheduled to last through fall 2027, The LA Local reported in a story published by LAist. The park stays open the whole time, and the city expects services there to continue as usual.

That finish date is later than the one given a month ago. After the city's parks commission approved final plans Oct. 1, The LA Local reported that construction was expected to wrap in spring 2027.

Crews will be on site Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The north side goes first and the south side follows, CBS Los Angeles reported. These are the blocks in each phase:

• Phase 1, the north half: Alvarado St. from W. 6th St. to Wilshire Blvd.; S. Park View St. from Wilshire to W. 6th; and Wilshire from Alvarado to S. Park View.
• Phase 2, the south half: Alvarado from Wilshire to W. 7th St.; S. Park View from W. 7th to Wilshire; Wilshire from S. Park View to Alvarado; and W. 7th from Alvarado to S. Park View.

If you park on those blocks, read the curb every time. The city says temporary "No Parking" signs will go up ahead of time near wherever crews are about to work, and traffic control will be set up during work hours. A spot that was fine last week may not be fine this week.

If you live or run a business along the park's edge, expect noise, dust and vibration during the workday. The city says it will take steps to keep those down. Recreation and Parks says it'll also protect the park's existing trees and keep watch on them while the fence goes in.

None of these dates is locked. The city says weather or other surprises could change the schedule.

Ana Luz Vazquez sells on the street beside MacArthur Park, and a crew working her hours is her problem. She told The LA Local that traffic, lost parking and noise could cut into her work, and that night construction would hurt vendors less. "If they're working in the day then how are we supposed to come here and who is going to help us survive," Vazquez told The LA Local. She also wants to know what the city will do about the unhoused people who spend their days in the park.

The city has set aside $2.3 million for the project, and officials haven't said whether that covers the whole cost. A later phase will add decorative features, and officials have said residents will get a say in the design.

Questions and complaints go to Recreation and Parks at RAP.PublicInfo@lacity.org or 213-202-2700.

Once the fence is finished, the gates are set to close every night from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. At a community meeting in October, LAPD Capt. Ben Fernandes said that "right at 10 p.m., someone is going to sweep that park and make sure no one is left," CBS Los Angeles reported.

Source: LAist, retrieved November 6, 2026. Other sources: CBS News, theglobe.la.