Recreation Park History

The Casting Club in the park was established in 1925. The clubhouse was expanded in 1996 to add an interior restroom with funding from the casting club, and the City corrected cracks in the casting pond and drainage around the pool. The clubhouse was completely renovated in 2009 following a fire in 2008.

The nine-hole golf course was built in 1928. When the new clubhouse was built at the 18-hole course, the old clubhouse was moved to the nine-hole course, rebuilt, and converted. It was demolished and replaced by the current structure in 1956.

The bowling greens adjoining the golf course, at East 11th Street and Park Avenue, are of recognized international size, 126 feet square. The clubhouse for the lawn bowling club was constructed in 1929.

The Recreation Park Band Shell was built in the 1920’s, but no date has been confirmed. It is a City of Long Beach designated landmark used in many States Picnics and for Municipal Band concerts for years. Plans have been developed to replace the arbors that flanked the bandshell, but funding for that work has not been obtained. The Band Shell was repaired to current seismic standards in 1995 with Los Angeles County Safe Neighborhood Parks Bond Act of 1992 funds.

In 1948, Joe Rogers Field was constructed as a softball stadium with bleachers. A restroom was constructed in 1983. Then, a maintenance building, new lighting, fencing and bleachers were added 1996 with Los Angeles County Safe Neighborhood Parks Bond Act of 1992 funds.

In 1957, the “Bruin Den”, a community recreation center building was constructed in the section of the park south of 7th Street. The area, known as the Woodlands area, is heavily landscaped with a Eucalyptus forest including picnic facilities.

In 1962, the first oil drilling started in the park, north of 7th Street and east of Federation Drive. In 1965, the City Council dedicated Park Avenue through Recreation Park, from 7th Street to Anaheim Street (formerly a park drive) as a public street. Also in 1965, the Park Commission approved the general development plan.

In 1972 the grandstands were added to the Billie Jean Moffat King Tennis Center.

A new playground was added in 2002 with funding from the Los Angeles County Safe Neighborhood Parks Bond Act of 1996 and Park Impact Fees.

The first Dog Park in Long Beach was established in 1996 at 5201 E. 7th Street in a section of Recreation Park adjoining the 18-hole golf course and north of the Fly Casting Pond. The site has been expanded to over one-acre due to its popularity. The facility is open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., except on occasional Mondays before noon for maintenance. The park is lighted at night.

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