Jennifer.DePrez@longbeach.gov
Community Information Officer
Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine
Above from left: Exterior of the Drake Park Community Center; interior of the renovated Drake Park Community Center, which features new lighting, improved HVAC systems, a remodeled kitchen, remodeled interior and exterior restrooms, a new gender-neutral restroom and more.
Long Beach, CA – The City of Long Beach Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM), in partnership with the Department of Public Works, invites the community to the grand reopening celebration of the newly renovated Drake Park Community Center (951 Maine Ave.). The event will take place Saturday, Oct. 3, from 12:30 to 2 p.m. and feature remarks by City leaders followed by a ceremonial ribbon cutting and refreshments and activities for the community to enjoy.
“Drake Park has always been a gathering place where neighbors connect, people recreate and history lives,” said Mayor Rex Richardson. “We look forward to welcoming the community back to the Drake Park Community Center and into a revitalized space that reflects our commitment to investing in our parks and shared public spaces.”
Recently completed as part of the Public Works-led Drake Park Community Center Improvement Project, the community center received significant interior and exterior infrastructure enhancements to modernize the facility and improve its functionality, accessibility, comfort and usability. As part of the Elevate ‘28 project, renovations to the community center include a new roof, new interior lighting, improved HVAC systems to enhance building performance and visitor comfort, a remodeled kitchen, remodeled interior and exterior restrooms, a new gender-neutral restroom, and new furniture and office area to support programming, creating a more welcoming space. Phased construction began in fall 2023 and was completed in summer 2026. Collectively, these major renovations provide a significant investment in the long-term sustainability and service capacity of this important neighborhood facility.
“Drake Park has long been a treasured gathering place where generations of families come together to play, connect and build community,” said First District Councilwoman Mary Zendejas. “We are incredibly proud to reopen the Drake Park Community Center and welcome our community back to this special space. I am especially excited for the children in the Willmore Neighborhood and surrounding communities who will have a safe and welcoming place to play, learn, grow and create lasting memories. I look forward to seeing this community center once again filled with laughter, opportunity and the joy of families coming together.”
Drake Park has long been a cherished community hub for the Willmore Neighborhood, serving as a focal point for community gatherings and City programming and events. The community center has regularly been used for many of PRM’s free youth programming, including the After School Program, Youth Sports Program, Fun Days Program and Summer Food Service Program, as well as for recreation contract classes and community events like the Movies in the Park summer series. The park’s varying recreational amenities also offer visitors different options for active and passive recreation and other community needs.
“The Drake Park Community Center has always been a highly used community space, and we are proud to reopen it with improvements so that it can continue to thrive as a welcoming and well-loved resource for even more generations of Long Beach residents,” said Stephen P. Scott, Director of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine, “We’re excited to see this renewed facility continue to bring people together and strengthen the community it has served so well for many years.”
The ceremony will also stream live on the following City pages:
- Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine Facebook and Instagram pages @LongBeachParks
- City of Long Beach Facebook and X pages @LongBeachCity and on YouTube @LongBeachCityCA
- Long Beach Television at LBTV3.com
The Drake Park Community Center Improvements project is supported by $2.95 million of Measure A infrastructure funds, including Measure A Bonds, and $1 million of AB32 funds, which are designated for energy efficient improvements that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
PRM continues to enhance existing parks through a community-driven, equity focused planning and development process. Guided by the Parks Make Long Beach Strategic Plan, the department prioritizes improvements that expand access in park deficient areas, create safe and inclusive spaces, and support environmental sustainability. Through transparent reporting and strong partnerships, PRM ensures park enhancements reflect evolving community needs and align with the City’s long-term vision for an equitable, healthy park system.
Discover PRM’s full lineup of parks, facilities, programs and services available for the Long Beach community at LBParks.org.
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 LBParks.org and by following us @LongBeachParks on Facebook, Instagram and X.