Public Works

MacArthur Park Rehabilitation

Click here for the latest project updates.

Background

The MacArthur Park Rehabilitation will bring major renovations to the sports courts, green spaces, picnic areas and playground to create a place of inspiration, gathering and play the Cambodia Town neighborhood and surrounding communities. The City of Long Beach’s Sixth Council District partnered with AOC7 neighborhood group, Friends of MacArthur Park, LANLT and local nonprofit design firm, City Fabrick, to create a Vision Plan for MacArthur Park. With community input from 15 public workshops and stakeholder meetings, along with 205 park audits and community surveys, 17 new park ideas were created to inform the plan.

In early 2022, State Senator Lena Gonzalez and Speaker-Emeritus Anthony Rendon helped secure $8,500,000 to support the project and drive the MacArthur Vision Plan forward. In April 2022, the Department of Public Works and Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine kicked off the design process and re-engaged the community to validate programming priorities and develop the look and feel of the park.

The park will feature design cues from the landscape architecture of Cambodia and Southeast Asia, as well as accessible play equipment, seating areas and thoughtfully placed fencing to enhance safety. A walking path with exercise equipment, new picnic areas, and improved landscaping and basketball courts will further improve the visitor experience at MacArthur Park.

The MacArthur Park Rehabilitation is part of the Elevate ’28 Infrastructure Investment Plan, a historic initiative dedicated to enhancing Long Beach parks, community facilities, mobility access, and streets. Learn more at lbelevate28.com.

Timeline

Project timeline is set barring weather delays and other unforeseen circumstances.

Objectives

• Foster a space of inspiration, pride and joy for the community and neighbors
• Enhance recreational, cultural and societal opportunities through major park renovations
• Ensure accessibility and inclusivity for people of all age groups and abilities
• Incorporate design elements inspired by the riverine landscapes and architectural styles of Cambodia and Southeast Asia

Proposed Features

• Playground enhancements

  • New shade structures resembling thatch-hut roofs
  • Diverse play equipment that is accessible and suitable for all age groups
  • New seating, resting areas and fencing for parents and caretakers

• Sports and fitness improvements

  • Modernized basketball courts with upgraded surfacing, lighting and fencing
  • Walking loop and trails equipped with traditional and calisthenic fitness equipment

• New picnic and gathering spaces

  • Smaller picnic tables lined with shade trees
  • Larger picnic shelter with a pagoda-inspired shade structure

• Multi-purpose green spaces

  • Re-established lawn and new irrigation system to support programming and events

• General site improvements

  • Improved pathways and landscaping
  • Additional tree planting and pedestrian-scale lighting
  • Enhanced fencing throughout the park

Project Funding

• Measure A funding: $1,000,000
• Additional funding secured by California State Senator Lena Gonzalez and Speaker-Emeritus Anthony Rendon: $8,500,000

More Information

• MacArthur Park Rehabilitation Project Construction Notice (English, Spanish, Khmer, Tagalog)
• MacArthur Park Rehabilitation Project Construction Parking Notice (English, Spanish, Khmer, Tagalog)
• MacArthur Park Rehabilitation Project Parking Lot During Construction Notice - April 24, 2024
• MacArthur Park Presentation - November 16, 2022
• MacArthur Park Vision Plan
• City Council Adopted Funding for MacArthur Park - February 15, 2022

 Project Updates

• February 2025

  MacArthur Park’s transformation is well underway! The contractor has successfully completed the installation of underground utilities, concrete pathways, fitness equipment and two new picnic shelters. Teams have started work on the playground equipment and basketball court. Please check back for more updates as the project progresses.

• September 2024

  We’re excited to share that construction on MacArthur Park commenced in May 2024. The contractor has completed demolition and rough grading. For the next few months, the contractor will continue with the installation of underground utilities, irrigation lines, and will begin to install concrete pathways. Construction is expected to be complete in Summer 2025. Please stay tuned for more updates and thank you for your patience as we work to transform MacArthur Park.

  
  
  

• May 2024

  The City of Long Beach invites the community to attend the groundbreaking ceremony for the MacArthur Park Rehabilitation Project. The ceremony will be held on Saturday, June 8, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. at MacArthur Park (1321 E. Anaheim St.). Street parking will be available on Gundry Avenue adjacent to the Homeland Cultural Center.
  
  The City’s Contractor, Bitech Construction Company, Inc, is scheduled to begin construction at MacArthur Park in April 2024 with a scheduled completion, barring weather or other unforeseen delays, by Summer 2025. The park will be closed during this time. The MacArthur Park Community Center and Manazar Gamboa Community Theater will remain open.

  The improvements will include:

  • Installing a new multi-use field, fitness stations, and walking trail
  • Upgrading and expanding the existing playground and safety surfacing
  • New basketball court and lighting
  • Added site furnishings including seating, picnic tables, and new picnic gathering area
  • Installing new landscaping, trees, and irrigation system
  • New park lighting and security cameras
  • ADA improvements to parking lot

  The contractor is scheduled to perform work Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM. Parking impacts for residents is not expected. Efforts will be made to minimize inconveniences and minimize construction activities during scheduled park sports activities.

  To facilitate construction, portions of the MacArthur Park parking lot will be made unavailable and will be enclosed by the Contractor’s temporary perimeter construction fencing. The parking stalls adjacent to the Gamboa Theater will remain open and available for public use. However please note, the parking lot may be intermittently closed during work hours for loading and unloading of critical equipment.

  A street parking space along Gundry Avenue will be temporarily designated as a blue curb zone and will be made available for the duration of the project. The space will be converted back to a regular parking space upon project completion.

  The contractor encourages park patrons to keep children away from the construction areas and activities.

  Thank you in advance for your patience and cooperation throughout this project.

• February 2024

  The construction contract has been awarded to Bitech Construction Inc. on January 16, 2024. Construction is expected to begin in April 2024, barring weather or other unforeseen circumstances.

• February 2023

  With the input and feedback from the community through online survey and community meetings, the MacArthur Park Design Team was able to refine the vision plan and develop design renderings for the community at the Design Unveiling Event on November 16, 2022.

• August 2022

  The City of Long Beach is inviting the community to submit feedback and recommendations for the MacArthur Park Rehabilitation Project through an online community survey available now through Monday, September 12, 2022 at bit.ly/clbmacarthurpark22. The City is committed hearing from community members before entering the final planning stages of the enhanced park. Input collected from the online survey will better inform the next phase of design, from the look and feel of the park, spatial arrangement of amenities, to confirm and/or update the programming, and work towards park design refinement.

  

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