Photos by Anabel Jimenez of Councilmember James Johnson’s office.
Willow Springs Park is the new recommended name for Long Beach’s latest future park, which at 47 acres, will be the largest to open in the city in 60 years and the largest ever built west of Redondo Ave.
Councilmember James Johnson announced the suggested name—which was overwhelmingly chosen by residents during an open suggestion period—at a ceremony held on the patio of The Factory gastropub during First Fridays in Bixby Knolls. He also unveiled a series of display boards which included maps, pictures and information about the Master Planning process that is currently underway.
“130 years after buying this property, the time has come to finally begin opening it as a public park,” Councilmember Johnson said.
The new name is appropriate for the site, which began as the city’s first water source and is known for its abundance of willow trees. Johnson, who had until Friday referred to the site as California Gardens, will recommend the name to the Parks and Recreation Commission for approval.
Though the entire 47 acres will take many years to complete as funding sources are identified, the first 4-acres of the site (which includes the city’s highest publically accessible point) hosted a “park preview” on July 4 and will formally open on November 1.
The property that will hopefully soon be known as Willow Springs Park has been owned by the city since 1882, but until recently, there still existed many industrial sites on or adjacent to the parcel. With those cleared and regulatory approval obtained for the first 4 acres, Johnson says he looks forward to bringing this large public space to West, North and Central Long Beach residents.
“Since 1882, all of our large parks in Long Beach have had one thing in common—they’re in the eastern part of our city,” Johnson said at the announcement Friday. “We will finally be bringing a regional park for the rest of Long Beach and beyond, with hiking trails, wetlands, sweeping vistas and more.”
Willow Springs Park will be located at 2745 Orange Ave. Monthly tours of the entire 47-acre site are run by volunteers on the third Saturday of every month at 10AM.To learn more about the tours, the park site, or to join the Master Planning process currently underway, visit www.JamesJohnsonLB.com/CAGardens or call (562)570-7777.