562.570.4668
LBPWmedia@longbeach.gov.
Community Information Officer
Department of Public Works
Long Beach, CA – The City of Long Beach invites the community to help shape Long’s Beach’s first-ever universal playground by participating in a needs assessment workshop or completing an online survey. The new universal playground at El Dorado Park West is designed to serve children with disabilities and neurodivergent children, as well as their caregivers.
The in-person workshop will be held on Thursday, April 24, 2025, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in the Bridge Room at the Dr. Thomas J. Clark Community Center at El Dorado Park West (2800 N. Studebaker Rd.). Attendees will receive a presentation on universal design principles and project details, including budget and site constraints, and will have the opportunity to ask questions and provide input. Additionally, an interactive activity will invite participants to share their needs and priorities that will aid in the development of the playground’s design. Interpretation services in Spanish, Khmer and Tagalog, as well as American Sign Language and live captioning, will be available.
Community members who are not able to attend the in-person workshop are encouraged to share their feedback by completing the online survey by Monday, June 30, 2025, which is available in English, Spanish, Khmer and Tagalog. Feedback garnered through the survey will inform the design of the proposed universal playground. Those with limited access to a computer or smart phone may visit any open Long Beach Public Library location to use a public computer to complete the survey.
The City’s goal to expand inclusive park elements under the Elevate ’28 Infrastructure Investment Plan is guided by the principles of universal design, which promote inclusivity and accessibility for users of varying abilities. These principles emphasize features that support independence, encourage social interaction, and create a sense of community. Universal playgrounds incorporate a variety of play experiences, including sensory, cognitive and physical activities, while also integrating design elements that foster physical coordination, imaginative play, social inclusion and access to nature-based play. While this is the first universal playground in the city, recent projects that have incorporated universal design elements include the Silverado and Ramona Park Signature Playground Projects, both of which recently broke ground.
The El Dorado Universal Playground Project is one of several Elevate ’28 projects that will enhance the aging infrastructure at the park, including the current paving, wayfinding and parking lot improvements currently underway, and upcoming improvements at the sports fields.
Additional opportunities for community input will be available once a concept design is developed. For more information, project updates and to complete the survey, visit longbeach.gov/eldoprojects.
Elevate ’28 is a comprehensive five-year infrastructure initiative designed to revitalize parks and community facilities while enhancing accessibility and multimodal transportation throughout Long Beach. For more information about Elevate ‘28, visit lbelevate28.com.
Media inquiries may be directed to Jocelin Padilla-Razo, Community Information Officer, Department of Public Works, at 562.570.4668 or lbpwmedia@longbeach.gov.