Park Ambassadors & Summer Family Fun | |
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As we welcome the warm summer days and eagerly anticipate the array of activities our parks have to offer during the summer season – from movies and concerts to day camps and sports – I want to take a moment to express my gratitude to each of you for your patience and understanding as we've worked to enhance our City's park services.
I am thrilled to announce that Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM) has launched a landmark initiative – the Park Ambassador program. This innovative program aims to significantly boost our staff presence in our major parks, increase the cleanliness of park facilities, promptly address patron complaints, and enrich visitors' experience at our City parks.
Our "Park Ambassadors" will be present in 39 parks across our City, providing necessary services to several mini-parks as well. With their help, restroom cleanings will increase to up to six times daily, ensuring cleanliness and safety in our parks.
In addition to maintaining the parks, our Ambassadors will serve as a touchpoint for any concerns or issues. They have been trained to handle various situations and are well-versed in matters pertaining to our beloved parks. Even into the evening hours, their extended presence will provide more significant opportunities for public engagement.
I would also like to highlight that our Ambassadors are equipped to handle a range of issues, from tackling vandalism to routine maintenance needs. They have undergone situational awareness training and have the support of the Long Beach Police Department for emergency safety response needs.
I encourage you to assist our park staff by reporting maintenance issues. Calls to PRM Maintenance Operations staff can be made at 562.570.4895 Monday through Friday between 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Alternatively, you can download the Go Long Beach app on Apple or Android devices to report issues such as graffiti, potholes, and other maintenance needs.
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Your input, patience, and support during the implementation of this program have been invaluable. I and Mayor Rex Richardson and Parks, Recreation and Marine Director Brent Dennis want to extend our heartfelt thanks for your understanding and cooperation. We are confident that the Park Ambassador program will enhance our park services and cleanliness, providing a safe, clean, and enjoyable outdoor experience throughout the summer and beyond.
I hope to see you at the movie nights, concerts in the park, community events, and more happening in our Long Beach parks this summer in the Fifth District. Summer in Long Beach is a joyous time of community gathering, thanks to the hard work of our Special Events team and the Parks, Recreation and Marine Department. If you have not already planned your summer using the Family Fun Guide recently mailed to homes, check out this online version.
Here's to a wonderful summer spent in the beautiful outdoors of our City's parks!
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As always, I am grateful for your continued engagement with me and my office, and I look forward to seeing you out in the community soon. Be sure to follow my Social Media @CWMeganKerr to stay connected!
Let's get to work,
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Megan Kerr, Councilwoman
Long Beach, District 5
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Celebrate JUNETEENTH
By celebrating and embracing the significance of Juneteenth, we honor the achievements and contributions of African Americans throughout history. It is an opportunity to recognize their determination, perseverance, and remarkable cultural heritage that has enriched our nation in countless ways.
This weekend, join fellow residents in local festivities that foster unity, promote education, and deepen the understanding of African American history and heritage, as well as honor their contributions to Long Beach.
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Music. Food. Step Show. Art. Culture. Activations.
Saturday, June 17
Rainbow Lagoon Park
Bring the family out to the best Juneteenth Celebration in the West! This free festival requires a free admission ticket to enter.
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Juneteenth Father's Day Celebration
Sunday, June 18
Martin Luther King Jr. Park
This unique celebration includes games, music, food trucks, vendors, heritage exhibit, and a special dad zone! Come early for a Free Community Breakfast sponsored by St. Mark Baptist Church at 10am and stay from 11am to 3pm for the main event.
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Long Beach Facilities and Services Schedule for Juneteenth
City Hall
City Hall offices and public services will be closed on Monday, June 19, including commercial services typically available in the City Hall lobby such as the Permit Center (located on 2nd floor), Cashiering/Payment Processing, Utility Customer Service, Billing and Collections, and Parking Citations. The public is encouraged to continue taking advantage of the convenient online resources available on the City website, including building permit services and bill payment options.
Street Sweeping
There will be no scheduled street sweeping or enforcement of street sweeping violations on Monday, June 19. Street sweeping will resume its regular schedule on Tuesday, June 20.
Parking Enforcement
Read your parking meter: Citywide parking violations, including parking meters, will be enforced on Monday, June 19, unless the meter states “Exempt on Holidays.” The days and hours of enforcement are displayed inside the meters.
For detailed information about closures, visit the press release.
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Upcoming Events &
Community Meetings
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The Long Beach Municipal Band will celebrate their 114th season this year with free outdoor summer concerts in Long Beach parks, from June 27 through August 4, 2023, with a different theme every week.
Residents can enjoy performances of the Long Beach Municipal Band on the dates listed below. All concerts begin at 6:30 p.m. and are free.
- Whaley Park North on Tuesdays, June 27 and July 11
- Bixby Annex Park on Tuesdays, July 18, 25; August 1
- Los Cerritos Park on Wednesdays, June 28; July 5, 12, 19, 26; August 2
- Recreation Park (behind Blair Field) on Thursdays, June 29; July 6, 13, 20, 27; August 3
- El Dorado Park West on Fridays, June 30; July 7, 14, 21, 28; August 4.
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Temporary Runway Closures
A friendly reminder that while daytime main runway closures at the Long Beach Airport have ended, some nighttime closures remain in place through July.
Major electrical upgrades designed to improve the safety of the primary runway at Long Beach Airport are underway to bring the Airport’s largest runway in line with the latest FAA standards and add to the Airport’s sustainability efforts.
The Rehabilitate Runway 12-30 project necessitates temporary nighttime Runway 12-30 closures Sundays through Thursdays through mid-July. Exact dates are subject to change, and details are available on the Airport’s Current Noise Advisories webpage.
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Are you wondering how you can stay informed about scheduled noise advisories?
In addition to following the Airport’s social media accounts (@LGBAirport) and lgb.org for updates, residents may sign up for LinkLB notifications and select to receive Airport news.
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Long Beach Police Department
News & Events
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East Division Commander's Forum
Save the Date! The East Division will hold a Commander's Forum on Wednesday, June 28 at 5:30pm. Location details yet to be determined, but once decided will be shared on the LBPD Facebook page.
Traffic Complaints Online Form
LBPD has just launched a new Traffic Complaints Online Form, which allows the community to report traffic items such as speeding vehicles at a regular location, habitual parking issues and/or violations, abandoned vehicles, sign or signal damage and/or obstructions.
E-Commerce Exchange Zones
Long Beach Police Department offers three e-commerce exchange zones where you can safely conduct in-person transactions. At our North, West, and East stations, we have designated spaces with 24/7 video surveillance so that you can reduce the risk of theft and have a peaceful transaction.
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Homelessness Emergency Declaration
Long Beach will host its fourth donation drive thru event, as part of a monthly series, to collect essential items to distribute to people experiencing homelessness in Long Beach.
Saturday, June 24 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Department of Health and Human Services Main Facilities Center
Donations received during the event will be distributed at the Multi-Service Center (MSC) to people experiencing homelessness and will also be available to local partner organizations to distribute.
Information detailing the city's homelessness response efforts is now available on the Homelessness Digital Dashboard.
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Digital Rights Platform
CSULB has partnered with the City to look for a diverse group of people who live, work, or attend school in Long Beach to participate in the testing of civic apps and websites. Please share your experience using technologies deployed by the City and whether you have concerns about the data they collect. Sign up as a civic user tester now—and tell your friends about it!
To confirm eligibility, you will complete a brief survey. Once signed up, participants will be notified of new tests and focus group discussions - which we will use to ensure particular mobile applications, websites, or devices fit the needs of all users before the City deploys them. You will receive a $25 gift card for every study you participate in!
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E-Learning Resources for K-8 Students
The Energy Resources Department, Long Beach Water Department, and the Department of Public Works’ Environmental Services Bureau have partnered with The National Theatre for Children (NTC) to educate and inspire Long Beach and Signal Hill students and their families about the environment. The program has been adapted into an all-digital alternative to safely bring the environmental curriculum to students amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Conservation Caper and LBC E-Team digital programs, which can be accessed remotely by teachers, students, and their parents, are an effective way to deliver novel curriculum and foster student engagement during this time of distance learning. Both digital programs provide vital information on water conservation, natural gas safety and conservation, and waste reduction.
If you are a parent and are interested in this free digital resource for your child, please contact your child's teacher to request access.
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Youth Advisory Council Applications
The City of Long Beach is now accepting applications for the Office of Youth Development’s second iteration of the Youth Advisory Council. The Youth Advisory Council is a body of 11 young people that help ensure authentic youth-led engagement in the design, oversight and implementation of the Youth and Emerging Adults Strategic Plan (YSP), the Measure US Youth Fund and other systems of youth development, ensuring that youth voices are uplifted throughout the City.
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Be between the ages of 16 to 26.
- Reside in Long Beach.
- Be available to meet twice a month.
- Have a passion for issues affecting youth in Long Beach.
Now through Friday, June 30, youth may submit their application online. Those without computer or smart phone access can visit a public computer lab at the Ron R. Arias Health Equity Center (6335 Myrtle Ave.) or at any Long Beach Public Library location to fill out and submit their digital application.
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Violence Prevention Symposium
In honor of National Gun Violence Awareness Month, 'Long Beach Advancing Peace' will host a Leaders of Violence Prevention Community Symposium, addressing violence prevention efforts, best practices and challenges.
The symposium, which will take place Friday, June 30, from 5 to 9 p.m. at Miller Family Health Education Center (3820 Cherry Ave.), will bring a diverse group of community leaders to share the history and best practices of community violence prevention in Long Beach.
LEARN MORE...
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LB Public Library Offers Free Business Resources
The Long Beach Public Library continues to build its repertoire of free business resources through its Digital Library, which offers free access to top professional development platforms that normally cost $1,000 or more per subscription.
With just a Library card, users can develop skills in business planning and entrepreneurship, management and strategic planning, finances and taxes, digital marketing, sales growth, market research and data, and much more.
LEARN MORE...
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MAC Continues Homeless Services Outreach Throughout June
The City of Long Beach is continuing deployment of its Mobile Access Center (MAC) in select areas throughout June, so that Homeless Services Bureau staff can continue to conduct meaningful engagement and relationship building, an essential component in increasing access to resources and services.
The June MAC schedule also includes new locations in the Belmont Shore and East Village areas.
LEARN MORE...
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Pet Preparedness Month
The City is recognizing National Pet Preparedness Month this June by hosting a variety of pet adoption and community engagement events that will offer residents educational resources and tools to help address challenges families and their pets may face during an emergency.
The City has teamed up with LB Animal Care Services to bring awareness to this topic and host community events for residents and their pets throughout June.
LEARN MORE...
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Free Recreation Programs Starting June 20
Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM) will offer a variety of popular, free recreation programs for families, teens and older adults beginning June 20, 2023. Residents can call or visit their neighborhood park community centers for schedules and to register for activities.
LEARN MORE...
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City Publishes Smart Cities Initiative 2023 Annual Report
The Department of Technology and Innovation has published its second Smart City Initiative Annual Report, which reports on the City’s progress in meeting the 11 objectives of the 2021 Smart City Strategy and showcases innovative technology and data privacy accomplishments over the last year.
LEARN MORE...
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Water Playgrounds Open at Alamitos Beach and Bayshore Beach on June 16
The City of Long Beach will open the popular inflatable “Wibit” aquatic playgrounds at Alamitos Beach and Bayshore Avenue on Friday, June 16, 2023, offering residents and visitors of these Long Beach beaches free, family-friendly fun and active water play all summer long through Monday, Sept. 4.
LEARN MORE...
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City Wins Los Angeles Conservancy Preservation Award
The City of Long Beach has received a prestigious 2023 Preservation Award from the Los Angeles Conservancy for the City’s first-ever Suburbanization and Race Historic Context Statement. The Statement aims to help fill historical gaps by guiding future planning land use decisions that are rooted in a deeper understanding of the city’s history and evolution and further support and uplift historically underrepresented communities.
LEARN MORE...
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PRM to Offer Free Summer Food Service Program for Children
For the 44th year in a row, Parks, Recreation and Marine will offer the USDA Summer Food Service Program to provide free, nutritious meals to Long Beach children and youth over the summer months.
Beginning June 20 through August 25, PRM will provide free meals for children and youth Monday - Friday, with times varying at each site between 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. (excluding Tuesday, July 4).
LEARN MORE...
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Long Beach Receives Excellent Dry Season Grades
The City of Long Beach has received high recreational water quality grades from Heal the Bay for 2022-2023, with 93% percent of its beaches receiving A or B grades for the dry summer months, according to the Annual Beach Report Card that was released on June 14, 2023. Long Beach has seen sustained improvements in water quality over the past decade.
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Housing Authority Awarded 79 Stability Housing Vouchers
The Housing Authority of Long Beach, recently received 79 Stability Housing Vouchers from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
On April 17, 2023, HUD announced Long Beach as 1 of 8 communities in California to receive Stability Housing Vouchers, which will be utilized to connect even more qualifying individuals experiencing/at risk of homelessness to permanent housing.
LEARN MORE...
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Health Department’s Power Up Your Summer Kickoff
The Health Department's Healthy Active Long Beach program and the Walk and Roll Long Beach program, in partnership with the Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine, invites the community to attend the 2023 Power Up Your Summer Kickoff on Saturday, June 17, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Admiral Kidd Park (2125 Santa Fe Ave).
This free event encourages youth to engage in 60 minutes of active play every day over the summer months.
LEARN MORE...
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Council Approves Acquisition of Property to Serve as Permanent, Year-Round Shelter
At the June 13, 2023, meeting, the Long Beach City Council approved the authorization for the purchase of property, located at 702 W. Anaheim St. and currently owned by the Long Beach Rescue Mission, Inc., to be utilized by the City of Long Beach as a permanent, year-round shelter for people experiencing homelessness.
This acquisition comes in response to the City’s local homelessness emergency proclamation and expanded efforts to increase access to interim housing, services and connections to permanent housing.
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City of Long Beach Extends Overnight Safe Parking Program South of Downtown Through 2023
Following the success of the Safe Parking Program just south of Downtown, the City of Long Beach will continue emergency operations of its Safe Parking Program with a temporary site in the area through 2023 while the City also seeks a location for a permanent site.
The City's Safe Parking Program provides a safe, dignified environment for people currently sheltering in their vehicles to park overnight while receiving access to basic needs and being connected to services.
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PRM Launches New Park Ambassador Program
Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM) has launched a Park Ambassador program.
The programs main goals are to significantly enhance staff presence in our major parks, provide staffing to address patron complaints, enhance the cleanliness of park facilities and improve the experience of visitors at City parks.
LEARN MORE...
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Public Library Launches English as a Second Language Program
The Long Beach Public Library (LBPL) is pleased to announce the launch of ESL @ LBPL as the newest component of LB Reads, LBPL’s adult literacy program.
ESL @ LBPL offers free English language learning programming designed to help adults build their English skills and gain success in their roles as individuals, family members, employees and members of the community.
LEARN MORE...
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Provide Feedback on Final Designs for Belmont Shore Gateway Signage
The City of Long Beach Belmont Shore Parking Commission invites the community to take a survey and share their feedback on potential Belmont Shore gateway signage.
Now through July 7, 2023, community members may complete the survey online at: bit.ly/CLBBelmont.
LEARN MORE...
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City Loan to AMCAL to Bring New Affordable Housing to Downtown
A $3.6 million loan by the City of Long Beach to a regional developer will be used to help acquire a Downtown property for a new affordable housing project that will offer 100 apartment units for low- and very low-income residents.
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Upcoming
City Council Agenda
Tues. June 20, 2023, 5:00pm
411 W Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90802
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Items of Interest
Item 1 Recommendation to contribute to Lakewood Village Neighborhood Association in support of their annual summer concert at Pan American Park; Los Cerritos Neighborhood Association in support of their two annual summer concerts at Los Cerritos Park; Camerata Singers of Long Beach in support of community concerts. (Item Details) (eComment)
Item 2 Recommendation to provide a donation to Care Closet LBC to support their ongoing operations to assist and provide opportunities for people experiencing homelessness; Wild West Women, Inc., in support of the Women’s Fair. (Item Details) (eComment)
Item 8 Recommendation to submit a grant application to the Strategic Growth Council through the Transformative Climate Communities Planning Grant Program, to develop a Climate Action Plan (CAP) Implementation Plan. (Item Details) (eComment)
Item 14 Recommendation to accept and expend grant funding for local cannabis education and youth prevention for a 36-month period estimated to begin June 30, 2023 through June 29, 2026. (Item Details) (eComment)
Item 15 Recommendation to accept and expend funding for worker upskilling to improve retention of the existing public health workforce and help incumbent workers develop their skills to meet future public health demands, for the period of July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023. (Item Details) (eComment)
Item 18 Recommendation to execute all necessary documents with the LA84 Foundation to accept 2023 Learn to Swim grant funds for summer aquatics programs targeting economically disadvantaged youth at Belmont Plaza Temporary Pool, Silverado Pool, and Martin Luther King, Jr. Pool, during the grant term dates of April 4, 2023 through August 31, 2023. (Districts 3,6,7) (Item Details) (eComment)
Item 19 Recommendation to reimburse the City of Long Beach for the Parks, Recreation and Marine Department to provide staffing and other services to conduct a 10-week summer swim program at the Belmont Plaza Temporary Pool, Jordan High School Pool, Martin Luther King, Jr. Pool, and Silverado Pool, from June 20, 2023 to August 25, 2023. (Districts 3,6,7,9) (Item Details) (eComment)
Item 23 Recommendation to amend contract for providing pre-employment psychological evaluation services, to expand the scope of work to provide Carry Concealed Weapon (CCW) license psychological evaluation services. (Item Details) (eComment)
Item 26 Recommendation to develop guidelines for the collection and reporting of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) data by city departments that provide health care and other social services to better understand and improve the health and well-being of LGBTQ+ Long Beach residents, and include recommendations in the FY 24 budget. (Item Details) (eComment)
Item 27 Recommendation to receive and file a presentation from the City of Pico Rivera on the Rosemead/Lakewood Boulevard Complete Corridor Project (the “Project”) and direct City Manager to (1) explore a formal partnership dedicated to advancing the Project with relevant agencies and (2) execute non-binding memorandums of understanding and statements of intent in connection with that exploration. (Item Details) (eComment)
Item 28 Recommendation to adopt resolution recognizing the 22nd of May as “Harvey Milk Day”; recognizing the month of June as “LGBTQ+ Pride Month”; recognizing the week of the annual LGBTQ+ Pride Event as “Long Beach LGBTQ+ Pride Week”. (Item Details) (eComment)
Members of the public have the option to use eComment to provide comments on agenda items. Written Comments may also be submitted by email to CityClerk@longbeach.gov.
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