UPDATE

HARVARD WESTLAKE RIVER PROJECT

On February 11, 2025, Save LA River Open Space (SLAROS) and Studio City Residents Association filed for an appeal regarding Harvard-Westlake’s River Park development and its ongoing issues with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as well as issues regarding the lack of due process by the City of Los Angeles.  The appeal will be heard by a panel of three appellate justices.  It will be a "de novo appeal" which means an appeal where a higher court reviews a case completely fresh, without giving any deference to the lower court's decision.  It is only through continued community donations that we are able to push for this appeal.  Although the sports complex is well on its way of being constructed, there is still an opportunity to possibly down-size it to better fit the open space needs to the local community.  We are also continuing to push to ensure this development does not utilize plastic playing fields with PFAS, or “forever chemicals”.  This type of material has shown to contaminate water, soil, and food, leading to serious health risks like cancer, hormone disruption, and immune system damage. Because they do not break down naturally, they accumulate over time, making long-term exposure a major threat to public health and the environment.

Although Studio City has lost the 16 acres of contiguous unprotected L.A. River green open space (previously known as Weddington Golf & Tennis), SLAROS will continue to help foster an appreciation of the remaining pockets of open space in the community. 

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