Santa Monica will unveil the Draft Illustrative Master Plan for the Great Park at the airport site Saturday, Oct. 17. The drop-in event runs from 1 to 4 p.m. at Memorial Park Gymnasium, 1401 Olympic Blvd.

The event marks the launch of Phase 4 of the five-phase Santa Monica Airport Conversion Project, or SMAC Project. It is the only Phase 4 community meeting where residents can interact directly with the master plan and give feedback to the project team and city staff in person, according to Santa Monica Next.

The master plan shows how the park will be organized and how people will move through it. Perspective drawings will illustrate key views. The plan includes proposed walking, running and biking paths, active recreation facilities, nature areas and distinct park districts, the Santa Monica Daily Press reported.

The city is planning for the airport land after aviation operations end in 2028. Sasaki is the lead consultant. Phase 4 will also explore phasing, implementation and cost estimates.

"The airport land belongs to the people of Santa Monica, and its future should be decided by them," Mayor Caroline Torosis said in the city's Oct. 6 announcement, according to the Daily Press.

Phase 4 builds on the Framework Diagram from Phase 3B, which established the park's overall structure and districts. An online survey conducted from February to April drew more than 4,200 responses on district locations and potential uses.

The existing 8-acre Airport Park remains a point of debate. On Oct. 7, the Planning Commission endorsed a Recreation and Parks Commission letter urging the city to keep the park as it is rather than fold it into a new active-sports district, the Daily Press reported.

The city plans to launch a new online survey as part of Phase 4 engagement. Feedback from Saturday's event and the survey will help refine the plan before it goes to City Council early next year.

A second round of presentations to city boards and commissions is scheduled for November. Draft dates on the SMAC Project website include the Commission on Sustainability, Environmental Justice, and the Environment on Nov. 16, the Planning Commission on Nov. 18, the Recreation and Parks Commission on Nov. 19 and the Airport Commission on Nov. 23. Times have not been confirmed.

Free parking is available in the Memorial Park lot.