D5 Newsletter: Weekly Updates & Summer Is Here

(562) 570 5555 | district5@longbeach.gov

Weekly Updates & Summer Is Here

Happy Friday, District 5! Yesterday was the summer solstice, the longest day of the year, and the official start of summer. I hope you are able to enjoy all our great city has to offer throughout the summer season, and as always, keep reading for a great lineup of upcoming events for this weekend and beyond!

As the 4th of July draws near, concerns are often raised over the use of illegal fireworks throughout the city. Earlier this week, the City Manager’s Office released a memo outlining the status of the city’s Illegal Fireworks Action Plan, within which the Interdepartmental Fireworks Working Group has collaborated across city departments and with external governmental and community partners to reduce the incidence and adverse impacts of illegal fireworks in our community. Read the memo and attached report to learn more. The Animal Care Services team is also doing what they can to prepare for Independence Day celebrations, as many dogs and cats get lost while scared due to fireworks. You can help support the already crowded shelters by fostering an animal for the holiday! Learn more at longbeach.gov/acs.

Hoping to get into the summer spirit in CD5 this weekend? You can celebrate the summer solstice tomorrow morning, June 22nd, with this month’s Willow Walk at Willow Springs Park from 9am – 11am. Join the guided early morning stroll at the park to observe local flora and fauna, support the park’s urban restoration efforts, and witness the natural shifts into the summer season. Saturday morning at 10am, you can also choose to get in tune with nature at SteelCraft Long Beach’s Summer Safari event, complete with a bird and reptile show, live music, and more. On Saturday evening, you can head over to LBX for their “Summer Kickoff” Market from 4pm – 8pm to support local vendors and partake in family-friendly activities. Then, on Sunday, June 23rd, you can join in the Kidical Mass Neighborhood Bike Ride, which heads out from behind Pixie Toys at 11am. See the flyers below to learn more.

Looking ahead, next week is a busy one for community meetings and events! On Monday, June 24th, the BKBIA’s free summer Concert in the Park(ing Lot) series will kick off in the parking lot of Bixby Joe at 6:30pm, featuring the Yari Moré Latin Band. On Tuesday, June 25th, the Long Beach Airport and the FAA will be cohosting an informational webinar to discuss community concerns regarding general aviation at LGB, via Zoom from 5pm – 7pm. Then, another free concert series will begin, as the Long Beach Municipal Band will perform at Los Cerritos Park on Wednesday, June 26th at 6:30pm, and every following Wednesday for the month of July. On Thursday, June 27th at noon, join neighbors and city officials for the Ribbon Cutting and Grand Reopening of the El Dorado Park West Duck Pond. Lastly, save the date for next Saturday, June 29th, to participate in a 405 Freeway cleanup at 9am, put on through collaborative efforts by our CD5 office, Assemblymember Lownethal’s office, and CalTrans. See below for more information on these and other upcoming events.

Finally, I’d like to remind you that the next City Council meeting will be on Tuesday, July 16th at 5pm in the City Hall Chambers. A list of items of interest will be provided in a future newsletter. I encourage you to attend or watch online.

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.

The work continues,

Megan Kerr, Councilwoman

Long Beach, District 5

Upcoming Meetings & Events

Community News & Updates

Recent Council Item

Item 33: E-Scooter Pilot Program on Beach Bike Path

At Council on Tuesday, my colleagues and I passed Item 33, requesting Public Works to initiate a 12-month pilot program to assess and determine the long-term viability of the safe use and management of e-scooters along our beach bike path. As we gear up for an active summer season, it’s important to utilize pilot programs such as this to gather the data to inform future policies and programs around this eco-friendly mode of transportation. To learn more, you can review the full item or watch the meeting’s video.

Public Works Department

Fire Station 9 Updates

Work on the new Fire Station 9 (4101 Long Beach Blvd) is beginning, and the existing building is expected to be demolished within the next two weeks.

The contractor, AMG & Associates began mobilization of the site as of 6/17/24.

The activities onsite for the next two weeks include the installation of construction fencing, the setup of temporary power for the project, and the setup of a construction office trailer and temporary restroom facilities.

For more information visit bit.ly/LBCFS9

Federal Aviation Administration

June 25th | Public Informational Webinar

As a reminder, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and LGB will cohost a public informational webinar on Tuesday, June 25th from 5pm - 7pm.

Registration for the webinar is available at the FAA Community Engagement website and via this direct link.

We encourage you to register in advance and submit any questions you may have before the meeting. It is our understanding that there will be a presentation and question session, and while attendees will also be able to submit questions during the meeting via a chat feature, pre-submitted questions are appreciated.

I hope any and all who are interested will take the opportunity to attend this informational discussion and engage directly with the FAA regarding community concerns around general aviation, as we continue to work towards lasting and meaningful solutions.

CalTrans & Assemblymember Lowenthal

June 29th | 405 Freeway Community Cleanup

Join us on Saturday, June 29th at 9am for a community cleanup of the 405 Freeway! Our office has collaborated with CalTrans and Assemblymember Lowenthal’s office to form a volunteer cleanup event from the Eastbound Spring St. at Northbound I-405 on-ramp to I-405 Cherry Ave. North off-ramp.

Materials such as trash-pickers, reflective vests, safety helmets, gloves, and trash bags will be provided by CalTrans. RSVP here to join us and help our efforts to keep our streets and freeways litter-free!

Economic Development

July 15th | CD5 Community Day on the Queen Mary

Have you visited the Queen Mary lately? Now's your chance! The Economic Development Department has partnered with our office to offer a free community day for CD5 residents on the Queen Mary!

On July 15th at 6pm, District 5 residents are welcome aboard the Queen Mary to experience and explore the local landmark. Use the QR code or click the flyer to register today! Discounted parking will be available with validation. RSVPs will be handled by the Queen Mary, but please call or email our office if you have any questions.

Parks, Recreation, & Marine

June 26th | Long Beach Municipal Band Concert in the Park Series Begins!

Summer is here and so are Concerts in the Park! Every Wednesday from June 26th to July 31st, join family, friends, and neighbors at Los Cerritos Park to hear a free community concert from the Long Beach Municipal Band!

June 27th | Ribbon Cutting for the El Dorado Park West Duck Pond

Community members are invited to join the City of Long Beach as it celebrates the grand reopening of the El Dorado Duck Pond. The special event will include remarks by Mayor Rex Richardson, Fourth District Councilman Daryl Supernaw, and the Departments of Parks, Recreation and Marine and Public Works, as well as a ceremonial ribbon cutting and public access to the revitalized duck pond and surrounding recreational area. The celebration will be held at noon on Thursday, June 27, 2024, at El Dorado Park West (2400 N. Studebaker Road).

In addition to elevating park patrons’ visiting experience by enhancing recreational amenities such as upgraded walking paths, enlarging the wetlands and forebay, and new California native landscaping, the El Dorado Duck Pond Project additionally supports the City’s water conservation efforts.

A reconfigured water circulation system, including new filtration and disinfection systems, has been installed that will improve water quality and allow reclaimed water to service the adjacent golf course, reducing the use of potable water. The project also supports the ecological function and habitat of the pond by restoring the pond liner.

The project is supported by Long Beach Measure A, Los Angeles County Measure W grant funding from the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District Grant, in addition to federal grant funding in partnership with Long Beach Utilities (formerly the Long Beach Water Department). The funding was approved by the Long Beach City Council in April 2022.

Free Summer Recreation Programs

Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM) is offering a variety of popular, free recreation programs for families, teens and older adults this summer! Residents can call or visit their neighborhood park community centers for schedules and to register for activities.

Long Beach Playmakers & SoCal Adaptive Sports

Inaugural Adaptive Sports Fair Recap!

Back in April, we helped support Long Beach Playmakers, SoCal Adaptive Sports, and LBCC as they came together with other community groups and organizations to bring the Inaugural Adaptive Sports Fair to Long Beach!

It was a great event, full of resources and opportunities for folks of all ages and abilities to come together over a shared love of being active, and to show off the wide range of adaptations that allow anyone and everyone to enjoy their favorite sports and activities.

If you missed it, or if you just want to reminisce, you can check out this video for a recap of the day’s events, thanks to "Out & About with Roger Martin." Thank you again to everyone who was a part of making this special day come to life in Long Beach. Looking forward to next year and many more years to come!