PRESS RELEASE

City of Long Beach 
Public Information Office
411 W. Ocean Blvd, 
Long Beach, CA 90802
www.longbeach.gov

6/21/2017
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEPress Release # CM:062117A
Subject:
Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine Ranks Top 24 of Park Systems Among 100 Largest U.S. Cities
Contact:
Jane Grobaty, Community Information Officer
Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine
562.570.3233
Jane.Grobaty@longbeach.gov




Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM) ranks Top 24 among the 100 largest U.S. city park systems in the Trust for Public Land’s (TPL) 2017 ParkScore® Index survey.

“We are happy to provide exceptional parks and recreational space for our residents and visitors,” said Mayor Robert Garcia. “I want to thank our Parks, Recreation, and Marine Department for working hard every day to ensure that we are increasing the quality of life for all of Long Beach; and this recognition is a testament to our efforts.”

The TPL Report commended PRM for its walkable park access. A total of 81 percent of residents live within a 10-minute walk to a park. Also noted was the City’s investment in parks and recreation of $250 per resident, compared to the national median of $80. PRM also stood out for the number of off-leash dog recreation areas, and recreation and senior centers serving residents throughout the City.

“Our park system is part of what makes the City of Long Beach a great place to live, work and play,” said Marie Knight, Director of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine. “We are proud of our efforts to provide more recreational open space within walking distance of residents. The new Gumbiner Park just opened in downtown; and within the year, a new 12-acre wetlands at Willow Springs Park will open, and new soccer fields and a greenbelt will connect Cesar Chavez, Drake and Loma Vista Parks, to add to the number of parks in Long Beach.”

The TPL Report ranks parks according to:

  • Park access
  • The percentage of residents who have a park within a half-mile of their home
  • A city’s median park size and the percentage of total city area dedicated to parks
  • City park spending per resident 

TPL creates parks and protects land for people, ensuring healthy, livable communities for future generations.

For more information about ParkScore, visit parkscore.tpl.org.

About Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine
The Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine Department (PRM) is one of the premier parks and recreation departments in the country, is consistently recognized for excellence in management practices and programs, and has received the national Gold Medal Award four times. PRM operates 170 parks with 26 community centers; two major tennis centers; an animal shelter; one of the busiest municipal golf systems in the country with five courses; and the largest municipally operated marina system in the nation with over 3,200 boat slips. More than 3,200 acres are developed for recreation. The Department offers approximately 2,400 contract classes (fitness, health, enrichment) to people of all ages (newborn to senior) every year; after-school programs at 26 sites during the school year; and summer programs for youth 5-12 years old. Other unique sites include multiple community gardens, a municipal cemetery, more than 38 miles of bike trails, 10 dog parks, and eight skate parks.

For more information about Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine programs and services, visit www.lbparks.org. Please “Like” us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.