CA city to shut down airport, transform it into utopian park

The western side of the 200-acre park will feature a dog park, nature education center and arboretum.

1 minute read

October 23, 2026, 8:00 AM PDT

By Zachary Whalen


A map of the proposed project, showing ample green space and space dedicated for culture and athletics.

The city will develop plans for the park through the early 2030s, and implement them depending on available funding. | Santa Monica Airport Project /

At the end of 2028, Santa Monica Airport will permanently close. In its footprint, the city plans to build a 200-acre park that will include a rock climbing wall, space for cultural events and a wildflower meadow, Steven Sharp writes for LA Urbanize.

The western side of the park will feature a dog park, nature education center and arboretum. The eastern section will have baseball diamonds, basketball courts and various athletic fields. The northern section will transform into leasable space, and the southern side will be used for performances and food.

“Moving forward, the project is expected to enter the environmental review phase from Spring 2027 through Summer 2028, leading toward the airport's closure on December 31. Detailed plans would then be developed through 2029 and early 2030s, and then implemented depending on the availability of funding,” LA Urbanize reports.

Wednesday, October 21, 2026 in LA Urbanize

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A map of the proposed project, showing ample green space and space dedicated for culture and athletics.

CA city to shut down airport, transform it into utopian park

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