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KEY PLANNED IMPROVEMENTS

  • Reconstructing the park’s pathways, seating areas, the parking lot, the AIDS Memorial, and the off-leash dog play area to meet California Building Code, ADA, and State accessibility standards.
  • Reconfiguring the off-leash dog play area to include separate off-leash areas for small and large dogs. The total combined off-leash area will be approximately 23% larger than the current temporarily fenced area, with new accessible seating and pathways.
  • Update grading and drainage to allow for an off-leash dog area to have ground cover composed of an organic material per City Council direction in 2024, with engineered wood fiber (EWF)— a natural material made from 100% virgin wood.
  • Relocating and refashioning the existing fountain into a new water wall that complements a relocated and fully accessible AIDS Memorial Grove.
  • Enhancing lighting, signage, and overall site security.
  • Augmenting existing signage with an approach that is more inclusive and functional.

UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS

  • Information regarding additional upcoming meetings and events related to the Hart Park Improvement Project will be posted at the park and will be available on the City Calendar.

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Illustrative Site Plan by Stoss Landscape Urbanism

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Conceptual Renderings by Stoss Landscape Urbanism

PROJECT BACKGROUND AND CITY COUNCIL DESIGN APPROVAL

  • Prior to his passing, the silent film star William S. Hart donated his property to the City of Los Angeles in exchange for a promise that a fountain be erected and the estate be preserved as a park in his honor for all to enjoy.
  • When the City of West Hollywood was established, it negotiated an initial 30-year lease with the City of Los Angeles. A new 35-year lease agreement was agreed upon in October 2019, therefore the City of West Hollywood continues having the responsibility to operate and maintain the Park while remaining in consultation with the City of Los Angeles regarding any changes or improvements.
  • Between 1987 and 1991, the City made improvements to the park including constructing its existing pathways, turf and landscaping, the existing fountain, and AIDS Memorial Grove.
  • In 2001, a “trial” off-leash dog play area was implemented, which was extended incrementally for periods ranging from 6 to 18 months. In 2005, its trial use was continued indefinitely as a temporary, “non-permanent” improvement.
  • In 2018, the City Council directed staff to explore ways to (1) develop a comprehensive plan for improvements to the Park including consideration of accessibility, parking, historical aspects of the site, status of the Hart House, off-leash dog park improvements, lighting, and security for all public spaces and areas, and (2) replace the existing wood chips at Hart Park with artificial turf formulated for dogs, and (3) present recommendations to the Public Facilities Commission for review before returning to City Council.
  • Conceptual Park Plan alternatives were developed with extensive community, Advisory Board, and Commission input between 2020 and 2021 in conjunction with oversight and feedback from the Public Facilities Commission’s Hart Park Ad-Hoc Subcommittee. Multiple community outreach events and pop-ups were also held in Hart Park, West Hollywood Park, Plummer Park, the Helen Albert Certified Farmer's Market, and presentations were made to the Actor’s Studio and Sunset BID.
  • Community Outreach Event on February 5, 2020 at West Hollywood Park. 
  • Community Outreach Event on February 10, 2020 at Plummer Park.
  • Disabilities Advisory Board Meeting on September 23, 2020.
  • Sunset Strip Business Improvement District Presentation on March 15, 2021.
  • Public Facilities Commission Meeting on Wednesday, May 12, 2021.

Hart Park Community Outreach Pop-Up - February 1, 2020

Community Engagement Event (February 1, 2020), photo by Jon Viscott (via the City's Flickr)

CITY COUNCIL CONCEPT DESIGN APPROVAL 

  • In September 2024, the City Council awarded an agreement for Professional Services to Stoss, Inc. to design, detail, engineer, and prepare construction documents for Hart Park improvements and upgrades. As part of their action, City Council gave further direction to move away from synthetic turf, use wood chips or other suitable safe and natural materials, and return to them for final material determination in the off-leash play area.
  • In June 2025, the City Council Ad-Hoc Subcommittee convened for a public meeting, reviewed the latest progress and asked staff to look further into security considerations and requested more information on potential materials for the off-leash dog area.
  • In August 2025, the City Council Ad-Hoc Subcommittee convened for a public meeting, reviewed additional information regarding the proposed engineered wood fiber (EWF) material specification for the off-leash dog play area surface, received an update on City policies and procedures at the park, and provided feedback on park seating design options.
  • The consultant team will finalize incorporating the Subcommittee’s direction along with community input and feedback from selected Advisory Boards and Commissions into a final design package along with update cost estimations.
  • Staff will return to the City Council after completing plan check and bidding for approval an award of a construction contract. This City Council date is anticipated to be in mid-2026, with construction to commence shortly after.

SUMMARY OF MEETINGS AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH

  • Community Outreach Event on February 5, 2020 at West Hollywood Park. 
  • Community Outreach Event on February 10, 2020 at Plummer Park.
  • Disabilities Advisory Board Meeting on September 23, 2020.
  • Sunset Strip Business Improvement District Presentation on March 15, 2021.
  • Public Facilities Commission Meeting on Wednesday, May 12, 2021.

  • Disabilities Advisory Board Meeting on Wednesday, February 26, 2025 at 6 p.m. at the Plummer Park Community Center, Rooms 5 and 6, located at 7377 Santa Monica Boulevard.
  • Older Adults Advisory Board Meeting on Wednesday, March 5, 2025 at 2 p.m. at the West Hollywood City Hall Community Meeting Room, 1st Floor, located at 8300 Santa Monica Boulevard. 
  • Historic Preservation Commission Meeting on Monday, May 12, 2025 at 7 p.m. at the Plummer Park Community Center, Rooms 5 and 6, located at 7377 Santa Monica Boulevard.
  • City Council Hart Park Ad-Hoc Subcommittee Meeting on Monday, August 11, 2025 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. at the West Hollywood Library, Community Meeting Room (next to the library’s main entrance), located at 625 N. San Vicente Boulevard. 

    QUESTIONS AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

    For any questions or additional information, please contact Michael Barker, the City of West Hollywood Project Architect in the City’s Urban Design and Architecture Studio, at mbarker@weho.org.