Craftsman Village Historic District Co-Chair Michelle Arend-Ekhoff officially opening the new pocket park to the public. Photos by Gisela Merino.
The cutting of a ribbon in front of a new jungle gym marked the grand opening of the Craftsman Village Park on Saturday. The park is being celebrated as a community achievement for the park-starved 1st District.
“I’m so ecstatic that its only half a block from my house,” said Ollie Sikes watching her daughter play on the sand. “I’d kind of like to see [even] more play sets in the neighborhood though.”
Sandwiched between residential homes in the historic neighborhood, the new 14,600 square-foot pocket park is the only public recreational area within a reasonable distance for many residents.
Community members that attended the grand opening also lobbied in support of the beautification project. Neighbors came together that Saturday morning with their families and pets to celebrate the achievement.
“This park is a labor of love,” said Vice Mayor Robert Garcia at the ribbon cutting.
A winding pathway frames the play lot near the entrance of the park, the ground a synthetic turf designed for soft landings. Further down, past benches and saplings is a sand pit. Children dug their hands and feet into the pit, digging deeply to find hidden dinosaur fossils.
The walls of flowers weaved through the fences surround the park, a roof garden belonging to resident Peggy Kozlowski peaks above the walls.
Kozlowski was enthusiastic about having anew green space next door to her home. Prior to the renovation, the lot was a series of dilapidated apartment buildings. The property was condemned, leaving an empty lot that attracted trash, camping and general misuse.
(Left) The Orange Avenue lot pre-renovation, 2006; (Right) The Craftsman Village Park on opening day, 2013.
“This is kind of like our crowning jewel; our biggest project that we’ve ever had happen in our neighborhood,” said Michelle Arend-Ekhoff, co-chair of Craftsman Village Historic District. “We’re very proud.”
According to Arend-Ekhoff, the Craftsman Village Park project was an eight year planning process, beginning with Parks and Recreations grant by Park Development Officer Anna Mendiola and by Assembly Member Bonnie Lowenthal obtaining the property.
What followed was a series of community meeting with architectural firm Melendrez.
Craftsman Village Park is the 161st park in Long Beach.
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