Work on River Park has begun. According to a letter from Harvard-Westlake President Rick Commons, the temporary sound wall has already been set up around the property and equipment awaits primed and ready to begin construction. The demolition process is underway and within a month or two the site will be ready for excavation and grading.
“We are currently on track for opening in fall of 2026,” Commons said in a May 17 announcement.
With more news from River Park, the Los Angeles Superior Court denied an injunction that a small number of project opponents had filed in an effort to halt construction. In his ruling, the Judge stated that River Park’s opponents are unlikely to prevail in their lawsuit against the City and that River Park construction should be allowed to continue without delay.
“We look forward to demonstrating what an extraordinary asset River Park will be once completed. The athletic fields, the track, the gym, the swimming pool, and the tennis courts will all benefit Harvard-Westlake students throughout the year,” Commons said.
In addition to the athletic facilities River Park will offer numerous open spaces, such as enhanced access to the LA River and ample underground parking. River Park will also include environmentally friendly features such as a stormwater reclamation system, solar power and extensive native landscaping.
“We are committed to sharing this remarkable facility with our neighbors and our community partners,” Commons said, “including Friends of the Los Angeles River (FoLAR), the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians, Special Olympics of Southern California, Angel City Sports, the Boys & Girls Club of Burbank and the East San Fernando Valley, and the United States Tennis Association Southern California.”
Students and staff await River Park completion as it will expand the facilities of the HW community.
“I am excited to see the finished product and can see myself hanging out there with my friends often,” Emmaline Chan ’27 said.
“I bleed River Park green,” Journalism teacher Jen Bladen said. “The thing I am most excited about is walking my dogs around the new path.”
More updates will be shared shortly, for the latest information visit www.hwriverpark.com. If you have questions about construction, please email [email protected] or call the River Park Construction Hotline at (818) 487-6611.
“I can’t wait to welcome you to Harvard-Westlake’s River Park,” Commons said.
