The Los Angeles Neighborhood Land Trust on May 28 updated Maywood City Council on the Riverfront Park renovation and said construction is scheduled to begin this fall pending final permits and additional grant awards.

“We are getting ready to head into construction this fall and are backing up construction documents,” L.A. Neighborhood Land Trust Executive Director Tory Chair said during the presentation.

Chair said the project team has secured roughly $7 million to date and currently shows an $11 million project budget. The scope described to council includes a nature‑based playground for ages 2–12, a water play area, a new soccer field, upgraded basketball courts, exercise equipment, walking paths, drought‑tolerant native plantings, stormwater capture infrastructure and upgraded restrooms. The plan also incorporates the Sleepy Lagoon Memorial, developed through community engagement with East Yard and other partners.

Community speakers at the meeting — including organizers from Communities for a Better Environment, East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice and local residents — urged the council to preserve the long‑range vision and ensure the project is fully funded before construction. Several community members noted the multi‑year design and engagement process has centered neighborhood input and asked the city to keep the project timeline but not to rush the final design steps.

Council members and staff discussed funding sources and matching restrictions. Chair said some conservation grants (for example those from the Rivers and Mountains Conservancy) can be limited to passive‑use items such as planting and grading, while other state programs could support active amenities such as the playground and sports fields. The Land Trust said it would pursue additional state and regional funding including a pending AQMD application and probable statewide park program grants.

Land Trust staff and community speakers emphasized the park as a regional asset for Southeast Los Angeles and requested continued coordination between the city, the Land Trust and regional grantors during final design and construction. The Land Trust expects to return with final construction documents and a construction start date as grants are finalized.