File photo.
The new Promenade Square Tot Lot, which broke ground last June, is set to officially open to the public with a grand opening ceremony Saturday at 10:00AM, according to an announcement from city officials.
The tot lot is the city’s first within its downtown urban core and includes a slide, several climbing structures and climbing rocks, a park bench and playground safety surfacing, according to the release.
“Access to safe, fun places is a basic need in every neighborhood, and this new tot lot will serve the families in Downtown that had to travel a half-mile away to play,” said Mayor Robert Garcia in a statement. “I am proud of the community support this project has received from Downtown’s residents.”
“I am grateful for the hard working community members, who saw the need for a playground and helped raise funds to make the project a reality,” said Councilmember Jeannine Pearce in a statement. “I am very excited that this day has finally arrived for our neighborhood children and families.”
The project was initially spearheaded by the Promenade Area Residents Association (PARA) responding to the growing need for a park, especially a tot lot, as more downtown families have grown to include more children.
The total project cost is $192,000 and is supported with $75,000 in one-time infrastructure funds from the Office of Vice Mayor Suja Lowenthal, $20,000 from Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe, $10,000 from the Downtown Long Beach Associates, $7,300 raised by the Promenade Area Residents Association and $5,000 from the Molina Family Trust.
To learn more about the event, call Gladys Kaiser, Manager, Community Recreation Services, at (562) 570-3150 or click here.