Santa Monica Coalition Endorses Airport Park Plan
The Great Park Coalition backs a master plan to convert the airport site into eight distinct recreational districts.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in National Parks
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The Santa Monica Great Park Coalition has officially endorsed a draft master plan for the future of the local airport site. This proposal outlines a vision to transform the current aviation area into an expansive public park featuring eight dedicated districts.
Why it matters
Proponents believe the transition will significantly improve local quality of life by eliminating the noise and air pollution associated with current aviation operations. The plan aims to balance natural landscapes with sports facilities and communal health-focused spaces.
The proposed site layout organizes the area into 8 specific park districts designed to serve diverse community needs. The plan is the product of a development collaboration between the Santa Monica Airport Conversion team and Sasaki.
The players
Santa Monica Great Park Coalition
This is a local advocacy group dedicated to the conversion of the airport site into public green space.
Sasaki
Sasaki is a global design firm specializing in architecture, planning, and landscape design that developed the draft master plan.
The details
The draft master plan was unveiled during a community event held at the Memorial Park Gym. This proposal was shaped by extensive public engagement sessions intended to collect direct feedback from Santa Monica residents.
Timeline
The draft master plan was unveiled on October 17, 2026.
Travel Outlook
This proposal marks a departure from the site's historical operational mandates established by the Santa Monica Airport land-use ordinance. By prioritizing public recreation, it shifts the region toward a model focused on sustainable urban land use rather than industrial aviation.
Residents should monitor future city council meetings to see how the proposed park districts may influence local traffic flow and property accessibility near the current airport site. Staying informed on the conversion timeline will help neighbors plan for the eventual transition of these land-use zones.
The takeaway
The move signals a major shift in city planning toward reclaiming industrial space for community health and recreation. Residents can continue to influence the final design by participating in upcoming public comment periods regarding the park layout.
Further reading
Learn more about local efforts at the National Parks section.
More information
To review the proposal in detail or participate in the feedback process, visit the Phase 4 project survey.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Santa Monica Daily Press.
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