“Providing discounted parking for veterans at our regional park is one small way we can show our appreciation for the sacrifices veterans have made for our community and country,” 4th District Councilman Daryl Supernaw said in a statement.
Restoration of the El Dorado Park Duck Pond is expected to improve water quality and resolve a number of ADA access issues. The project is set to begin in September and construction could last into late 2023.
Since May 3, at least 14 Muscovy ducks have been found dead at the pond, Long Beach’s Parks, Recreation and Marine Department confirmed Thursday.
The $9 million renvoation of the duck pond could be boosted by a state grant, but if Long Beach doesn’t win the award it could have to dip into city tax revenue to cover the balance.
Former Mayor Tom Clark was the longest serving City Council person in city history and helped secure bonds to purchase the land that makes up part of El Dorado Park.
The $9 million El Dorado Park duck pond renovation was supposed to begin earlier this year but was delayed by several months after the city didn’t receive any bids for the project.
Clark is the city’s longest serving council member (30 years) and served three terms as mayor during the 1970s and 1980s before the city had a dedicated mayor and the position cycled through council members.
Using the pond as a reservoir is expected to free up about 10% of the city’s capacity to store more water and help eliminate periods where water can’t be captured by city facilities because storage tanks are full.
Little Brass and The Grand are now in a 180-day exclusive negotiating window with the city to possibly takeover three vacant buildings in El Dorado Park.
The carousel has been refurbished to fit the park over the last eight months.
