First District residents attended the final Drake Park expansion meeting this week concluding the community design process. The expansion now moves into the EIR phase. First District Councilmember Robert Garcia has been working with the Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine Department to secure the EIR money.

Click here to view the design of the project.

“This new park is the most important project in the First District,” said Councilman Garcia. “It would create an important greenbelt in West Long Beach and connect Cesar Chavez Park to Drake Park and to the River.”

The City is working on the transformation of the park into an integrated greenbelt, creating one of the largest recreation areas in the region, and bringing much needed green space, along with pedestrian and bicycle routes to the area. 

The new project includes:

– Restoration of 4 acres of Wetlands;
– Connection to the LA River;
– New Community Center overlooking River and nature Center;
– 3 New Soccer Fields;
– A Large Skate Park and teen zone;
– Restoration of historic Drake Park and new plaza;
– Connections from Anaheim Street to Downtown Long Beach;
– Bike trails; and, 
– 500 new Parking Spaces.
 
“This new park will serve a community that desperately needs open space and opportunities for recreation,” said Garcia. “We will get the EIR completed and begin securing grants and state funds to start this project.”
 
Hundreds of community leaders, parents and children have participated in the three design community meetings.  

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