PRESS RELEASE

The public is invited to attend a grand opening ceremony on Saturday, October 21, 2017, at 10:00 a.m., for the Restoration of Willow Springs Park Wetlands, located at 2755 Orange Ave, Long Beach, CA 90806.

“This restoration will allow the public to experience the historical, natural surroundings of Long Beach,” said Mayor Robert Garcia. “From hiking to nature exploration to educational experiences, this project will provide enhanced recreational activities and much needed open space for residents.”

The Wetlands Restoration Project is a 12-acre project within the 48-acre Willow Springs Park. It features a walking loop that takes visitors through a series of water-capturing bioswales that flow to:

• Forty-three thousand square feet of restored seasonal wetlands.
• Twelve acres of open space with native plants and trees.
• A constructed spring mimicking the original artesian spring that provided water to early Long Beach.
• A water retention basin that cleans and diverts water from the Los Angeles River to be reused onsite.
• An outdoor classroom for environmental education.

“The City has worked to transform this area from an inaccessible rugged landscape to a wetlands and recreational area,” said Councilmember Roberto Uranga. “I am eager for the public to enjoy the views and the opportunity to relax and enjoy nature.”

The project included:

• The removal of non-native trees and damaged piping.
• The planting of approximately 200 native and riparian tree species and 6,440 native drought-tolerant plants.
• Installation of 209,000 square-feet of irrigation.
• Construction of 43,000 square feet of ponding areas and 1,700 square feet of bioswales.
• Conversion of a dirt access road to a 2,400-foot pedestrian trail with public access via entry points at Orange and California Avenues.

Funding for this project comes largely from the Urban Greening for Sustainable Communities Grant Program, funded by the California Natural Resources Agency through Proposition 84, which awarded Long Beach $924,000 in June 2014.

For more information regarding the event, please call Gladys Kaiser, Manager of Community Recreation Services, at (562) 570-3150.

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 @LongBeachParks.