MacArthur Park, long associated with open drug use and homelessness, attracted a much different crowd on June 25: soccer fans.
The gathering was part of Los Angeles’ “Kick It In The Park” program, which turned the often-troubled public space into an outdoor World Cup viewing party despite the park’s difficult reputation.
The California Post visited several hours before the 1 p.m. kickoff and found a scene that looked dramatically different from just days earlier, when the area had been the focus of large-scale drug enforcement operations.
MacArthur Park held its first World Cup watch party on June 15 and has also hosted several outdoor movie nights since then.
By 10 a.m., city workers were spraying down sidewalks, though there appeared to be limited cleanup activity beyond that.
“This place is so much more safe,” said a woman who identifies herself as Mohini, a formerly unhoused resident who now comes to MacArthur Park to meditate and spend time with people living on the streets. “I can enjoy as the kids play.”
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The improved conditions have also made it possible for Kevin Flores to return to the field and practice soccer in the park again.
“I’m surprised,” Flores said. “Maybe two months ago, it was like really dirty with homeless, but now actually, it looks really nice.”
“Yeah, this is area, it’s not really that good, so definitely surprised,” added Alejandro Villegas, who lives nearby.
The Post spoke to a soccer fan from Germany named Sven who traveled to Los Angeles for the World Cup and read about the watch parties online.
“I think it’s pretty nice,” Sven said, noting that he’s happy for the locals. “When the World Cup goes, the people stay here, they will have this park cleaned up and can use it. So it’s a good idea to do that of the city.”
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The city plans to host additional watch parties at MacArthur Park next month for the quarterfinal matches.
You can find more information about scheduled viewing events by visiting the city’s website.
