File photo.
The community is invited to celebrate brand new Swimability improvements made to Alamitos Bay on Sunday, June 26 at 2:00PM at the Bay Shore Swimming Pier, near the Leeway Sailing Center, the city announced today. A new, permanent, measured open water buoy line, new water quality signage and swim ladders will be unveiled and will be available for public use at the free “Play in the Bay” event.
“Long Beach attracts some of the top athletes in the world who are looking to train for triathlons and other events,” stated Mayor Robert Garcia. “The new Bay Shore Buoy Line will help experienced competitors train, and also provide casual swimmers the chance to better their best.”
As Long Beach continues to promote its overall “Livability” initiatives, which also include “Bikeability” and “Walkability” improvements, these “Swimability” investments also seek to promote healthy active lifestyles so residents and visitors alike can experience a better quality of life.
“The City has invested immensely in cleaning up our bays and marinas, and now it’s time to promote our fantastic water quality and encourage people from all over to come and enjoy the endless recreational opportunities our waters provide,” said Councilwoman Suzie Price in a statement.
Local resident Lynne Cox, who swam across the Bering Strait in 1987, and has twice held the overall record for the fastest swim across the English Channel, will be in attendance.
The 500-yard Bay Shore Buoy Line features buoys located at every 100 yards, beginning at the restrooms near Second Street and ending just east of the Bay Shore Swimming Pier, according to the release.
Fifteen new swim ladders have been added to public docks, including Alamitos Bay Landing, the northeast corner of Naples Island, Mother’s Beach, Davies Launch Ramp and the Bay Shore Swimming Pier, to help swimmers more easily enter and exit the water.
Long Beach’s water quality has improved over the past five years, according to Heal the Bay, and the newly installed signs will provide current information about water quality in the Bay, such as the current water temperature.
Signs have been installed in five different locations, Colorado Lagoon, Mother’s Beach, Bay Shore North Restrooms (across from the Bay Shore Neighborhood Library), Bay Shore South (near the Bay Shore Swimming Pier), and the Kite Beach parking lot on Ocean Boulevard and Claremont Place, according to the release.
Guests who ride their bike can leave it with a free bicycle valet to be provided specially for the Play in the Bay event, while two Long Beach Bike Share stations will be installed at both ends of Bayshore this week.
The city has encouraged those attending to RSVP via the Eventbrite page here.
The Leeway Sailing Center is located at 5437 East Ocean Boulevard.
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