NEW<\/span>You can now listen to Fox News articles!\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\n A California airport that has operated for more than 100 years is set to close \u2014 and not without controversy.<\/p>\n The 227-acre Santa Monica Airport site is expected to be converted into open green space,<\/a> sports areas and cultural facilities, according to the city of Santa Monica.<\/p>\n The city recently secured nearly $500,000 in funding to begin planning the transformation of about 20 acres of the airport site<\/a> into park space, including trails, fitness areas and other public amenities, according to Los Angeles County documents.<\/p>\n TSA OFFICERS SKIP WORK AS PAYCHECKS STOP DURING SHUTDOWN, AIRPORTS FACE CHAOS NATIONWIDE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n The airport is scheduled to close Dec. 31, 2028.<\/p>\n The closure follows decades of legal disputes<\/a> and pushback from local residents, the city noted.<\/p>\n Santa Monica Airport is set to close on Dec. 31, 2028, after years of legal disputes and public pushback.<\/span> (FG\/Bauer-Griffin\/GC Images)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n The airport has already operated under strict limitations in recent years, including restrictions on late-night activity.<\/p>\n “Although arrivals are permitted 24 hours a day, pilots are requested to avoid all operations between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. Monday through Friday or until 8 a.m. on weekends,” the city said.<\/p>\n CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER<\/u><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n In 2017, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)<\/a> and the city reached a settlement that allows Santa Monica to close the airport at the end of 2028 after continuing operations through that date, the FAA said.<\/p>\n The agreement also allowed the city to shorten the runway as part of efforts to limit airport activity.<\/p>\n The airport in Santa Monica already limits late-night flights, asking pilots to avoid operating overnight despite 24-hour arrivals.<\/span> (iStock)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Once closed, the site will be redeveloped into a large-scale public space.\u00a0<\/p>\n Officials say the goal is to create a destination that serves both residents and visitors \u2014 while preserving open space<\/a> in a densely populated area.<\/p>\n CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES<\/u><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Community input has played a major role in shaping the proposal, with the city hosting dozens of public meetings and collecting thousands of survey responses.<\/p>\n The proposal has sparked debate online.\u00a0<\/p>\n The city recently secured funding to begin planning the conversion of about 20 acres of the airport into parkland with trails, fitness areas and other public amenities.<\/span> (iStock)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Residents took to the r\/SantaMonica subreddit to sound off on the decision.<\/p>\n Some residents voiced support for a large park, pointing to the lack of similar green spaces in Los Angeles.<\/p>\n TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ<\/u><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n “Compared to other major cities, L.A. is lacking this type of curated urban park,” one user wrote in a discussion about the project.<\/p>\n “Having it be a mix of high-density housing and a park would be great.”<\/p>\n <\/p><\/blockquote>\n Others argued the land should be used in a different way.<\/p>\n “We desperately need more housing<\/a>,” another commenter wrote, suggesting the site could accommodate both a park and residential development.<\/p>\n CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n A third commenter said, “Would love a better way to connect to Ocean Park by foot or bike without 23rd St. Having it be a mix of high-density housing and a park would be great.”<\/p>\n Yet another resident suggested it could be used for “a half-dozen super-tall residential towers, with mixed commercial and retail uses on the first few floors, and the rest a ton of public park space with trails and bike lanes<\/a> and recreation fields.”<\/p>\n <\/p>\n![\"Jets](\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1200\/675\/santa-monica-airport-planes.jpg?ve=1&tl=1\")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n![\"Passengers](\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1200\/675\/people-waiting-airport.jpg?ve=1&tl=1\")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n![\"Aerial](\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1200\/675\/aerial-view-santa-monica-airport.jpg?ve=1&tl=1\")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n\n