City of Long Beach Over Doubles Size of Davenport Park and Celebrates Expansion

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PRESS RELEASE

Long Beach, CA - The City of Long Beach invites community members to celebrate the Davenport Park expansion with a ribbon cutting ceremony, taking place at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, at Davenport Park (2910 E. 55th Way, off of Paramount Boulevard between Candlewood Street and South Street). The event will include remarks by Mayor Rex Richardson, Eighth District Councilmember Al Austin, and the Departments of Parks, Recreation and Marine and Public Works, followed by open use of the new park spaces and amenities.

"The Davenport Park expansion highlights our commitment to providing and developing more shared spaces for our community," said Mayor Rex Richardson. "The new soccer field, fitness areas, seating and added parking not only improve the visitor experience-they create more opportunities for recreation and engagement, and foster the health and wellbeing of our community."

The Davenport Park Expansion expands the original 5.5-acre park to 11.5 acres, and includes a multi-use sports field, fitness stations, outdoor seating areas, site furnishings, a walking trail and additional parking. Other amenities include shaded picnic areas and drought-tolerant landscaping with updated lighting, bike racks and a connecting path between the original park and expanded new portion.

"I am thrilled to celebrate the expansion of Davenport Park, which has more than doubled in size and added value to the community," said Eighth District Councilmember Al Austin. "By investing in our parks, we are bringing people together to enjoy our vibrant and beautiful city. I look forward to seeing families enjoying the new and improved spaces and amenities at Davenport Park."

The Davenport Park Project underscores the City's commitment to park equity and increasing access to open, recreational and green spaces in traditionally underserved neighborhoods and throughout Long Beach. Phase I of the project, which was completed in December 2023, addressed the site's public health, safety and infrastructure needs with the installation of a landfill gas control system on the western portion of the original park, mitigating methane gases from the former landfill site and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. The Phase II park expansion more than doubles the size of Davenport Park and improves the visitor experience, enhances green space and encourages outdoor recreation.

The project was made possible by a $3.7 million grant from the Land and Water Conservation Fund, $1.2 million from park impact fees, $1.7 million from Measure A, and $3.5 from Measure A Bonds.

For more information on the project, visit longbeach.gov/davenportparkproject.

About the City of Long Beach
Long Beach is nestled along the Southern California coast and home to approximately 466,000 people. As an award-winning full-service charter city, Long Beach offers the amenities of a metropolitan city while maintaining a strong sense of individual and diverse neighborhoods, culture, and community. With a bustling downtown and over six miles of scenic beaches, Long Beach is a renowned tourist and business destination and home to the iconic Queen Mary, nationally recognized Aquarium of the Pacific and Long Beach Airport, the award-winning Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center and world-class Port of Long Beach.

For more information about the City of Long Beach, visit longbeach.gov/. Follow us on social to keep up with the latest news: Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube. More information about the Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine is available at longbeach.gov/park and on Facebook, X and Instagram.

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