NPS Seeks Public Input on Potential Los Angeles Coastal National Park

The National Park Service is evaluating whether to designate parts of the LA coastline as a new national park unit.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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The National Park Service (NPS) is conducting a 'Los Angeles Coastal Area Special Resource Study' to evaluate whether a large stretch of the Los Angeles County coastline, from Will Rogers State Beach to Torrance Beach, should be designated as a new national park unit. The public comment period is open until April 6, 2026, after which the NPS will analyze the feedback and produce a report in 2027 on the feasibility of the area becoming a national park or NPS-managed site.

Why it matters

Designating the LA coastline as a national park could provide greater federal protection and resources for the area, but would also impact local decision-making and public access. The study aims to weigh the pros and cons of such a move before Congress considers creating a new national park unit.

The details

The study area includes the coastline within the city of Los Angeles as well as beaches in unincorporated LA County. The NPS will evaluate the area's significance, suitability, feasibility, and need for NPS management. If the area is deemed suitable, Congress would need to pass legislation to officially create a new national park unit.

  • The 'Los Angeles Coastal Area Special Resource Study' was approved by Congress in 2022.
  • The public comment period is open until April 6, 2026.
  • The NPS plans to produce a report on the study's findings in 2027.

The players

National Park Service (NPS)

The federal agency that manages the national park system in the United States.

Janice Hahn

Los Angeles County Supervisor whose district includes the San Pedro coastline.

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What they’re saying

“Los Angeles County's beaches are among our greatest shared treasures and public assets, and any conversation about their future deserves a thoughtful, fact-based approach. I'm looking forward to seeing the pros and cons that come out of this study and what making our beaches a national park could mean for public access, local decision-making, and our responsibility to protect our beaches for generations to come.”

— Janice Hahn, Los Angeles County Supervisor (Fox News Digital)

What’s next

The public comment period closes on April 6, 2026, after which the NPS will analyze the feedback and produce a report in 2027 on the feasibility of designating the area as a national park or NPS-managed site.

The takeaway

This study highlights the complex considerations around potentially designating a popular urban coastline as a national park, balancing federal protection with local control and public access. The outcome could have significant implications for how the Los Angeles region manages and preserves its iconic beaches for the future.