The state of California is wasting no time in preparing for the Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2028. Earlier this month the Exposition Park project announced that it received approval for $352 million from California Governor Gavin Newsom’s budget plan. This large new budgetary allocation will fund the transformation of Exposition Park.
Exposition Park will construct a new 6 acre park and underground parking structure with the funds. This development is all part of Exposition Park’s Master Plan in order to renew the space ahead of the LA28 Olympics. The new green space and parking area will replace the existing parking lots on the southeast intersection of West Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Figueroa Street.
Of course, all this park renewal is not just for the upcoming Olympic Games. The community surrounding Exposition Park will also greatly benefit from the new open green spaces. Plus, the project also plans to add amenities like electric vehicle charging stations and even more importantly – a new community space for park visitors.
Plus, the new green areas in the park will provide much-needed relief from rising temperatures. Residents around Exposition Park have historically relied on the park for open green spaces especially since the neighborhood is one of the most densely populated areas in L.A. with little respite from the rising urban heat. This new transformation aims to change that by providing “the largest green infrastructure investment by the state in the South Los Angeles community.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom claims that “California is committed to bringing more green spaces to more people than ever before – especially in places that have been historically left behind.” In a recent press release, he stated, “When the world visits Los Angeles for the Olympics, they will see firsthand our vision for Outdoors for All realized with projects like this at Exposition Park. Not only are we replacing asphalt with greenery, we’re creating jobs and lifting communities.”
You can learn more about the expansion on the Exposition Park Master Plan website.