We Create Community January Newsletter

Camps for children ages 5–12 years old are continuing on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. through January 28 at 21 parks. Campers can get out of the house and have safe options for fun social interaction with peers. Every day brings games, physical fitness activities, arts and crafts, seasonal celebrations, opportunities to explore science and nature, and much more.

“HAPPY NEW YEAR”’s uttered to welcome in the promise of a better year in 2021 were certainly shouted in wildly different circumstances and settings compared to celebrations of years past. Times Square in New York City was a vacant canyon of urbanity with celebrants barred from our nation’s historic setting for the ‘ball drop’ at midnight. California’s “Stay in Place” orders with specific guidelines limiting gatherings and advising against traveling were part of the unique exclamation mark of 2020. I hope each of you could enjoy a safe and meaningful holiday season this past month.

With an uptick in COVID-19 positive cases across our Parks, Recreation, Marine and Animal Care Services Team, as I reached out to scores of our affected co-workers, I learned of the wide range of symptoms being experienced. Overall, most of our team members were getting through their ten-day quarantine periods with limited discomfort, but we did have several individuals being hospitalized. We wish everyone a speedy recovery and a safe return to their jobs. Staff is encouraged to remain diligent to all the health protocols that remind them to watch their distance to others, wear masks, wash hands and consider getting the COVID-19 vaccine when it’s available in March. We will get through this together. I remain very optimistic in our future and look forward to the time when we can safely reopen our parks and recreation facilities and program offerings. I know that the community we serve is anxious for the return of our programs and community events.

Our Community Ambassadors program was extended through the end of January with a strong possibility of additional weeks through winter’s end. This team does an awesome job out in the parks and beach areas to remind the community of the important health orders and protocols.

Some good news that added some welcomed bright spots to the final week of 2020 was the completion of the transfer documents for Sunnyside Cemetery. This historic property will be a wonderful addition to the adjacent municipal cemetery as well as Willow Springs Park. We were saddened although in learning of the passing of Linda Meador, a long-time Sunnyside Cemetery board member and champion of this special place in the heart of Long Beach.

Following another bright and colorful tradition that ran throughout the holiday seasons were the recent Trees in the Bay displays. A grateful community enjoyed this spectacular presentation from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day! Now the painstaking work of de-installing and storing the floating structures and miles of strings of lights and power supply cables is underway by our Marine Bureau team. Beach Maintenance has kept up with monitoring and preparing for the impact of King Tides upon the protective sand berms and the cleanup of storm debris that inevitably collects and lands upon areas within our marinas and beaches.

Pet adoptions at Long Beach Animal Care Services continue to see an increase over all previous years which is especially notable considering the challenges during the COVID-19 era. If you are interested in possibly adopting or fostering a cat or dog, you can do so by scheduling an appointment via email at PetAdopt@longbeach.gov or calling 562.570.4925.

January kicks off a big winter month for our Parks Maintenance with a focus on landscape clean-up, tree trimming and dead tree removal. Several of our parks served as Christmas tree recycling drop off locations in early January with over 3,000 trees being chipped up into useful mulch.

Our creative Community Recreation Services team continues to roll out an amazing array of virtual programming for youth and seniors. Rave reviews were received for the holiday virtual programs, mobile RECess and Learning Hubs programming.

I wish all of you a very happy, healthy and safe new year in 2021. Parks, Recreation, Marine and Animal Care Services continue to be an extremely essential department in providing and supporting critical programs and services for our community. Keep up the GREAT WORK!

The free Mobile Recess Program got kids outside for fresh air and safe fun during the LBUSD Winter Break. Staff drove trucks loaded with supplies and equipment to 11 neighborhoods to provide activities for youth ages 5–14 (Grades K-8).

New sessions of this program will be offered in February at nines sites. Visit longbeach.gov/park to register or call 562.570.3226 for more information.

The 3 or 5.1-acre Lincoln Park at the corner of Ocean Blvd. and Pacific Ave. is the oldest park in Long Beach. Originally known as Pacific Park, the area was officially designated as a park in 1888. The park area has historically included the Long Beach City Hall and Main Library. In 1915 a statue of Abraham Lincoln was unveiled and “Pacific Park” was formally changed to “Lincoln Park” on July 9, 1920. Over the years the park had a Japanese Garden as a tribute to Yokkaichi, Japan, sister city of Long Beach, and shuffleboard and roque courts. The Downtown Dog Park opened on the site in 2009.

The park closed in 2016 for the construction of the new Civic Center complex that opened in July 2018 and the Billie Jean King Main Library which opened on September 2019. A newly constructed Lincoln Park is scheduled to open at the end of 2021.

The new park will feature:

Playground with universally-accessible play components featuring a bright beach theme
Dog park with areas for large and small dogs Outdoor fitness equipment arranged in nodes connected by a park fitness loop and exercise signage
Synthetic turf sports field with cork/sand infill and energy-efficient LED field lighting
Half basketball court with artistic court design
Small skate park with ground-mounted skate features
Outdoor reading room/classroom activated by activities at the adjacent Billie Jean King Main Library • Overhead pedestrian lighting and festoon accent lighting
Updated restrooms with safe and inviting design and durable fixtures and finishes
Gateway elements and history features with an integrated cultural and history walking loop with interpretive signage
Underground utility ducting to allow a future concession stand, with space for interim uses such as food trucks, events, temporary exhibitions and vendor kiosk opportunities
Varied garden zones for learning and exploration and small grass areas for seating and play

A continuous First Street pedestrian connection will keep the visual through the park in a west and east direction, allowing clearly defined pedestrian connections from Pine Avenue through the Transit Mall to the new Civic Center plaza to the west.

Parks, Recreation and Marine works to conserve murals throughout the City to deter graffiti and enhance neighborhood beautification efforts. Over time mural can be affected by vandalism, environmental decay or even cars running into walls.

Artist Esaul Romo has worked doing part-time mural conservancy for the past 10 years. He says the work is important for the community to be able to enjoy “beautiful art that reflects the culture of the City.” Vitanga Wettewa is also an artist by trade and has been using his skills to restore murals throughout the City as needed since 2018. He is grateful to be involved in keeping our visual treasures “vibrant and intact.” In December, the two removed gang graffiti that stretched an entire block along Cedar Avenue.

And once in a while when time and budget permits, Esaul and Vitanga paint a new mural like at Fire Station #3 at Daisy and Loma Vista. The work, “Willmore City” depicts the oldest, most historically rich area in Long Beach.

Long Beach Animal Care Services (LBACS) recently received a call about two small animals locked in a tiny crate all day. Animal Control Officer Ryan visited the home but there was no answer. As she was leaving, Christine Barry, a social worker with Long Beach Police Foundation through Ashlee’s Homeless Fund mentioned that the address Officer Ryan just left was the home of her clients, Brite and her daughter Helen. Christine said the owner and her daughter were home but afraid to open the door thinking the officer was there to remove the dogs.

Christine introduced Officer Ryan to Brite and Helen. The house belonged to Brite’s mother who passed away in early December 2020. Brite and Helen were homeless when they inherited the house and dogs. The home needed repairs and the dogs were placed in the crate while construction was taking place. Officer Ryan confirmed that there was no animal cruelty taking place. Brite and Helen and were able to receive beds, a dining table, chairs, clothes, food and a tiny crate for the dogs. LBACS and the SPCALA donated a larger dog crate, dog beds, leashes, collars, clothes, dog toys, blankets, dog food (wet & dry), treats, puppy pads and bowls.

LBACS would like to thank everyone who contributed to this happy ending. An extra special thanks to social worker Christine and Animal Control Officer Ryan for their compassion, understanding and handling of the situation.

Congratulations to Recreation Leader Specialist Rhiannon Wilson on being named the November Employee of the Month. Rhiannon oversees the Virtual Out of School Program which is safely engaging youth in enriching recreation activities. She recently answered a few questions about herself so we could get to know her better.

What’s the last TV show you binge-watched? hmmm.. Hallmark Christmas movies are taking up most of my TV time right now.

What’s the best thing you’ve learned in your current position? Google Meets every day can be fun! Haha I tell myself this every day because I know kids are having a hard time with school all online. It is our job to make sure that we bring the best experience to them!

What’s your own advice that you always follow?

I always have encouraged my staff to be cheerful and positive. I think something that I wanted to make sure to carry with me after leaving Wardlow where I volunteered and then worked at for 15 years is no matter what community we work in there will always be someone who is in need of a smile and good energy!

What’s one small thing that makes your day better?

Boba!

Who inspires you?

My mom! My friends! I think it is so important to surround yourself with people who inspire you!

What is or would be a good nickname for you at work?

My staff call me Rhi Rhi haha not my favorite!

What song always gets you onto the dancefloor?

Ummm. No song haha I like to have fun but, I am no dancer lol.

If you could have a superpower, what would it be?

Read people’s minds haha. I think that would good and bad but, I would love it.

Who would play you in a movie of your life?

I would choose Blake Lively.

Using one word, how would you describe your family?

Ummm (that’s all I will say).

A genie gives you one wish. What is it?

No pain and suffering for anyone or anything.

Would you rather be able to skip any line or eat anything you want whenever you want?

If I’m gaining weight when I eat whatever I want, that would be a NO! But, if not, eating anything I want sounds GREAT!

The .68-acre Promenade Square Park located at 215 E. First Street near The Promenade is a vital patch of green that provides downtown residents with much need open space. The park is at the southern end of a six-block long thoroughfare. Its amenities include a tot lot with a slide, climbing structures and rocks, and safety surfacing and benches.