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Summer is in full swing, Whittier, and the City has plenty going on to enjoy. Of course, we invite you and your family to spend Independence Day with us by kicking off the morning with a flag-raising ceremony and freedom walk down the Greenway Trail, followed by our annual fireworks show at York Field later that night. Scroll below for details on both events, as well as other park meet-ups in July like family movie night on Saturday, July 20, and our popular summer concert series on Mondays and Thursdays throughout the month.
The Whittier Public Library is also a great place to stay cool this summer offering a variety of activities for reading enthusiasts. Don't miss Small Space Gardening workshops for all ages, the next Reel Club film screening on July 15, or visit the Library's website calendar to view a complete list of July events taking place at both locations.
This Independence Day, may we remember the sacrifices made by those who came before us and strive to uphold the values of liberty, equality, and unity among our friends and neighbors. We look forward to celebrating the red, white, and blue... with you!
Brian Saeki, City Manager
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Whittier Celebrates Independence Day with Flag Raising & Freedom Walk July 4 | |
The City of Whittier invites local families to its annual Flag Raising & Freedom Walk at Palm Park (5703 Palm Ave.) on Thursday, July 4 to celebrate our nation's birthday. The event starts at 9:00 a.m. with a formal flag raising ceremony, special performances, patriotic crafts, and tasty treats, followed by a Freedom Walk along the Greenway Trail beginning at 10:00 a.m. Please contact City staff at (562) 567-9495 with questions. | |
Star-Spangled Spectacular: 4th of July Fireworks | |
The City of Whittier invites you to celebrate the 4th of July with family, friends, and fireworks! Don't miss the annual 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular on Thursday, July 4, at York Field (9110 Santa Fe Springs Rd.) featuring youth activities, inflatable attractions, food trucks, and live music from Legacy. Wristbands are $5 each; residents age 17 and military veterans can attend for free. Gates open at 5:00 p.m. and fireworks begin at 9:00 p.m. All other use of fireworks within the City of Whittier remains illegal and homeowners, property owners, tenants, or other responsible persons that Whittier Police officers observe lighting fireworks at any public or private location may be fined up to $5,000. We appreciate you celebrating safely and responsibly: please be a good neighbor! | |
Council Corner: Adoption of Balanced Budget & Greenleaf Promenade Update | |
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The City Council adopted a balanced budget during its regular meeting on June 11, 2024, noting a significant market correction following a substantial increase in General Fund revenue sources over recent years. The City Council continues to prioritize and accomplish strategic plan goals and objectives that enhance quality of life for residents thanks to anticipated revenue stability this year, as well as continued support from Measure W passed by Whittier voters in 2020. Watch the meeting and view minutes here for the complete budget discussion.
Following significant public input, reports from environmental and arborist consultants, and robust deliberations over many months, the Whittier City Council voted 3-1 to move forward with the Greenleaf Promenade project during a special study session on June 18, 2024, approving amendments including larger replacement trees, shade structures within the three-block stretch of Greenleaf Avenue, and further consideration of phased implementation of the project.
The decision underscores the City's commitment to advancing a nearly 20-year plan for revitalization of Uptown Whittier, which began with extensive community involvement in 2006 as part of the Uptown Whittier Specific Plan process and was further refined in the 2019 Uptown Streetscape Beautification Plan. The $20 million dollar Promenade project will help position Uptown as a walkable, safe, and vibrant urban destination addressing critical infrastructure improvements and featuring desired amenities for the benefit of residents, visitors, and locally-owned businesses including outdoor dining, enhanced lighting and branding, and more than 57,000 sq. ft. of combined landscaping and new park space.
The City Council will hold regular meetings on Tuesday, July 9, and Tuesday, July 23, 2024, beginning with closed session at 6:00 p.m. and open session/public comments at 6:30 p.m. Council meetings are streamed live from the City's website and available for viewing on cable channel 3. Residents are also invited to participate by attending in person at City Hall (13230 Penn St.) or via Zoom to share a public comment. Find meeting agendas, minutes, and instructions on how to participate here or call the City Clerk at (562) 567-9850 with inquiries.
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Participate in Summer Reading Club | |
The Whittier Public Library's annual Summer Reading Club is well underway encouraging readers of all ages to read as many pages as possible between now and July 27, 2024. This year's theme is "Adventure Begins at Your Library" and aims to encourage residents of all ages to read books of their choosing, complete activities, write reviews, and track their reading in person or online. Participants are eligible to collect badges for the number of books read by age group and entered into drawings for prizes. The Summer Reading Club is sponsored by the Friends of the Whittier Public Library, the Assistance League of Whittier, and the Whittier Public Library Foundation. To learn more and register, call (562) 567-9900 or (562) 567-9950, and click here to download the Beanstack App and start tracking your pages today. | |
Splash Season: Stay Cool Through Labor Day | |
Summer is here and Whittier's splash amenities are ready for action! Splash pads and fountains are now operating at Lee & Erica Owens Park, Palm Park, Parnell Park, and Michigan Park between the hours of 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily through September 2nd, 2024. Please call PRCS for details at (562) 567-9450 and stay cool all summer long! | |
WYN Club: Register for School Year on July 15 | The new school year will be here before we know it and the City's Parks, Recreation & Community Services team is gearing up for the 2024-25 WYN Club. The City's popular after school program operates at six local elementary schools including Laurel, Hoover, Evergreen, Ocean View, Leffingwell, and Murphy Ranch and is open to students in 1st through 5th grade. Register for $75 per student via www.whittierrec.com beginning at 9:00 a.m. on July 15 or contact PRCS at (562) 567-9450 with questions. | |
REEL CLUB: View an Adventurous Trek July 15 | |
The Whittier Public Library invites you to its monthly REEL Club meet-up for a special screening of "180 Degrees South: Conquerors of the Useless" on Monday, July 15 at 6:00 p.m. at the Central Library (7344 Washington Ave.). Get ready for a breathtaking adventure as Jeff Johnson retraces the legendary 1968 trip of Yvon Chouinard and Doug Tompkins to Patagonia. Watch as Johnson sails from Mexico down the wild west coast of Chile, blending original footage from the '68 journey with his own thrilling experiences of surfing, sailing, and climbing. The event is free to attend and open to all movie enthusiasts looking for a little adventure! Please call (562) 567-9900 with questions. | |
Too Toxic to Trash: Dispose of Hazardous & Electronic Waste on July 20 | |
Whittier and Los Angeles County residents can safely dispose of their household hazardous and electronic waste on Saturday, July 20, between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. at La Puente Park (501 N. Glendora Ave.) in the city of La Puente. Participants are reminded to carefully secure items for drop-off in their trunk or truck bed and preferably in boxes that are easy to remove from vehicles. No explosives, ammunition, radioactive materials, controlled substances, or large appliances will be accepted and sharps disposal (including needles or medical equipment) will require exiting your vehicle to deposit into a specified biohazard waste bin. The event is co-sponsored by the LA Sanitation Districts and the County of Los Angeles Public Works Department. To inquire about accepted materials, please call (800) 238-0173 or visit www.CleanLA.com for more details. | |
Batter Up: Don't Miss "A League of Their Own" at Michigan Park July 20 | |
The Whittier Parks, Recreation & Community Services staff will host Movies in the Park once a month on select Saturdays through October. Don't miss fan favorite "A League of Their Own" at Michigan Park (8228 Michigan Ave.) on July 20 starting at 6:00 p.m. Kids can enjoy free crafting, games, and play activities and $1 concessions will be available for purchase. Don't miss a great night out with the family at a different local park each month and remember your lawn chairs, blankets, and your picnic dinner from a local restaurant. All screenings begin at dusk. For more information call (562) 567-9450 or click here for more details on park events this summer. | |
Move and Groove Mondays & Thursdays | |
The City of Whittier's Parks, Recreation & Community Services team invites you to its popular Concerts in the Park series on Mondays at Central Park (6532 Friends Ave.) and Thursdays at Parnell Park (15390 Lambert Rd.) now through August 8 at 7:00 p.m. Remember to bring a picnic dinner from your favorite Whittier restaurant or visit one of our participating food truck vendors. Grab your dancing shoes and join us! | |
Lunch at the Library: Kids & Teens Eat Free | |
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The Whittier Central Library (7344 Washington Ave.) is currently offering its free summer "Lunch Buddies" program for youth ages 18 and under now through July 18. The meals are sponsored by the Whittier Union High School District through the USDA Summer Food Service Program and supported by the California State Library and California Library Association. Lunches will be provided on a first come, first served basis and must be consumed and enjoyed on site at the Library. Registration is not required. Contact the Library to learn more at (562) 567-9900.
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Library Hosts Small Space Gardening July 24 | |
 |  | The Whittier Public Library will host a Small Space Gardening workshop on Wednesday, July 24 for children ages 6 to 12 beginning at 3:30 p.m. followed by adults at 5:30 p.m. The first event will begin with storytime featuring "In Our Garden" by Pat Zietlow Miller, and participants will be given gardening supplies for kids to grow their own plants and learn more about the environment. The adult-focused workshop begins at 5:30 p.m. and will highlight gardening as a tool for healing, bonding, and building community. Participants will also receive gardening supplies and a calendar of action items to help them create a green space at home. Building Equity Based Summers is a program of the California Library Association, supported in whole or in part by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian. Spaces are limited for both workshops; please contact the Library to RSVP and learn more at (562) 567-9900.
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Take the Survey: Parnell Park Improvement Plan | |
| |  | The proposed Parnell Park Improvement Plan currently reimagines use of the existing park space more efficiently and introduces new amenities including an upgraded playground and splash pad, enhanced accessibility, new sports fields and courts, a picnic grove, a concert/band shell, and more. In order to implement these community-driven enhancements, the Improvement Plan proposes modifications that include redesign and also removal and planting of trees throughout the park. In addition to other outreach, the City will host a community meeting in late August or early September to seek additional feedback. In the meantime, residents are encouraged to share their thoughts on the proposed design and other features by completing a short survey which can be found here. We look forward to ensuring Parnell Park continues to serve families and residents for generations to come with new gathering space, modern amenities, and more opportunities to play! For more information on the plan, please contact the Parks, Recreation & Community Services department at (562) 567-9400 or email PKS@cityofwhittier.org.
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Fall Swim Lessons: Register July 29 | |
Registration for the fall swim season at the Palm Park pool (5703 Palm Ave.) opens online July 29. Lessons will be available for swimmers of all abilities ages 12 months to 15 years beginning on August 19. Please call (562) 567-9495 with inquiries and log on to www.WhittierRec.com to register. | |
Seussical the Musical: Join Our Cast | |
The Whittier Youth Theater, in partnership with the City of Whittier and Stagelight Family Productions, is bringing you Seussical the Musical this October. Registration for those interested in joining the ensemble cast is now open at www.WhittierRec.com for ages 5 through young adults, and parent meetings and auditions will take place August 16 & 17. The cost to perform is $200 for Whittier residents and $215 for non-residents. Please call (562) 567-9430 with questions and join us for this beloved theatrical community event! | | |
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