East End residents oppose $20 million 'Arc of Time' at Mason Park, call for basic repairs instead

Dozens of East End residents and community organizers pressed City Council on June 10 to halt plans for a $20 million public art installation called the “Arc of Time” at Mason Park and to instead prioritize basic repairs and safety upgrades.

Community members told council they have collected hundreds of signatures opposing the Arc, arguing the project would accelerate gentrification while the park lacks functioning restrooms, a safe playground and an open community center. “Improvement without community input is not progress. It’s erasure,” said Sarah Montgomery, a leader with Unidos por Mason, during public comment.

Montgomery said Unidos por Mason collected more than 200 petition signatures and listed essential requests: more lighting, a safe playground, storm-resistant maintenance, public restrooms and a functioning community center. “This majority immigrant, Latino, and working-class community has been neglected by the city for decades,” she said.

Other speakers described longstanding failures: playground equipment they called unsafe, a community center closed for years and maintenance promises that have not been fulfilled. Maria Salazar told the council, “We do not need a structure that’s going to further gentrify our neighborhood. We need restrooms that will make the park a park.” Oscar Arellano said he has advocated for Mason Park for 20 years and reiterated calls for targeted spending on the park’s immediate needs.

Council Member Joaquin Martinez, whose office is leading the project discussions, responded that his office has convened meetings and will hold a public community meeting on June 21. Martinez said the project leverages private dollars and that roughly $7–8 million recently authorized toward Mason Park work is already in the pipeline. “These projects are not gonna happen overnight. They still need to be designed,” Martinez said, and he urged continued engagement with his office and the Mason Park Conservancy.

Montgomery and other residents said private funding does not excuse the city from addressing repair and safety deficits that they say have lingered for years. They warned that without explicit commitments for the park’s basic needs, the community will continue to oppose the design and siting of the Arc of Time.

Council staff and Martinez’s office said they will continue community meetings and design outreach; Martinez invited residents to the scheduled June 21 meeting. The group Unidas por Mason and other speakers said they will continue neighborhood advocacy and will hold the council accountable at future meetings.