The new Bixby Park playground and fitness loop will officially open this Saturday, with a dedication ceremony at 9:00AM, the city announced Tuesday.

A release issued Tuesday afternoon said the event will be hosted at Second Street and Junipero Avenue, near the new “Camp Bixby,” and is the first phase of planned renovations at the park.

“Bixby is one of our city’s most historic parks, and the heart of the diverse communities it serves,” said Mayor Robert Garcia in a statement. “The renovations and new additions are excellent improvements, and there is really something for everyone in this gem of a park.”

The new “Camp Bixby” playground is filled with sand play areas, swings, a cable climber, two slides, a shaded seating areas, a play structure for 2- to 5- year olds and a structure for 5- to 12-year olds.

The fitness loop is composed of a walking path with distance markers connecting six different workout stations with exercise equipment, according to the release. The loop is located at Junipero and Ocean. A trainer has designed fitness routines to complement the fitness path.

“I know I speak for the community in saying how excited we are to be celebrating the opening of our new playground called Camp Bixby and park fitness loop,” said Vice Mayor Suja Lowenthal in a statement. “Residents and stakeholders participated in an extensive planning process designed to meet the needs of our park visitors now and in the future, so these and other projects planned for Bixby Park really reflect their incredible input.”

Slated to be completed by the end of December is a free-standing restroom with architectural and color details that are consistent with the rest of the park.

The project was funded by $1 million set aside by the Long Beach City Council in its FY 2014 Capital Improvement Program Budget and $250,000 in funding from the Second Council District for Park Playground and Other Improvements.

The playground is one part of Bixby Park’s ongoing revitalization. Recent and planned improvements include the Bixby Park Bluff project, and historic lighting and benches provided by Friends of Bixby Park.

For more information about the Bixby Park construction project, call 562.570.3165.