Parks, Recreation and Marine

About the Department

About Long Beach Parks, Recreation And Marine

Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine (LBPRM) serves a diverse community of over 462,000 residents. Programs and services are offered at 166 parks with 26 community centers, two historic sites, two major tennis centers, one of the busiest municipal golf systems in the country with five courses, the Long Beach Animal Care Services Bureau, the largest municipally operated marina system in the nation with 3,100 boat slips, and six miles of beaches. More than 3,100 acres within the City's 50 square miles are developed for recreation.

The Department offers recreation programs from arts and cultural, sports and fitness, and enrichment subjects for all ages from pre-school to senior citizen. More than 2800 recreational and educational classes are offered each year.

The Department is a four-time recipient of the National Parks and Recreation Society's "Gold Medal" award for outstanding management practices and programs.

Contact Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine, for more information:

Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine
2760 Studebaker Road
Long Beach, CA 90815-1697

Phone (562) 570-3100
FAX (562) 570-3109
E-mail: LBParks@longbeach.gov
Website: www.LBParks.org

Long Beach Animal Care Services Bureau

LBPRM's Animal Care Services Bureau operates at a state-of-the-art companion animal care facility, the P.D. Pitchford Companion Animal Village that was funded through a partnership with the spcaLA in 2001. The City has a 55-year agreement with spcaLA to share operating and maintenance of the $10 million facility-one of the most unique in the State of California for its design, programming, and partnership between private non-profit and public organizations. This environment has increased the live release rate for shelter animals in Long Beach. With over 225,000 domestic pets in Long Beach households, LBPRM's Animal Care Services incorporates programs for people and animals including low cost pet clinics, adoption events, dog training and ten dog parks

Long Beach Marine Bureau

With 3,100 boat slips, LBPRM operates the nation's largest municipal marina, and an economic asset that employs over 100 staff and generates $19 million in slip revenue annually. Located adjacent to the City's downtown waterfront and prestigious Alamitos Bay, the marinas enhance the economic value of these areas. The marinas generate over $52 million in direct and indirect spending to support the local economy. Visit www.longbeach.gov/park/marine

Green Vision

LBPRM manages over 172 acres of estuaries within the City's built-out 50 square miles. The 26-acre DeForest Park Nature Trail winds through riparian forest, woodlands, and wetlands.El Dorado Nature Center has over 100 acres of natural habitats are maintained within its 400 acres. The 9.27-acre Golden Shores Marine Biological Preserve was created as mitigation for wetlands used in a Port of Long Beach expansion and is a sanctuary for birds and aquatic life. The 3.17-acre Jack Dunster Marine Biological Preserve has 1.5 land acres and 1.2 shallow water acres that are habitat for fish and wildlife. The 27.5-acre Colorado Lagoon is approximately half land area and half open salt-water area. The 6.06-acre Sims Pond is a marsh at the busy intersection of Pacific Coast Highway and Loynes Drive.

El Dorado Nature Center programs connect all ages with wildlife in the midst of a busy urban environment. Parent and me pre-school programs, youth science workshops; and yoga, gardening and art classes for adults are offered in a natural setting. Naturalist-led walks, turtle shows, summer concerts and Audubon Society programs appeal to families. Residents becomes stewards of their Nature Center, beaches and wetlands by participating in clean-up events.

Recreation Programs

The Department offers recreation programs for all ages from the newborns in "Baby Dance" classes to senior citizens programs. More than 600 recreational and educational classes are offered every quarter.

Youth programs help youth to stay healthy and develop the confidence and skills to succeed athletically, academically and socially, and include supervised park and school playground sites. Recreation Leaders conduct games, sports, crafts and other fun activities for youth during after school hours. 

LBPRM partners with Long Beach Unified School District to serve over 200,000 youth annually at staff-run Winners Reaching Amazing Potential recreation programs at eight school campuses, and supervises 26 parks during after school hours.

Youth sports for ages 5 to 18 are offered every quarter including free basketball, indoor soccer, softball, volleyball, and flag football. The Bayshore Roller hockey and in-line skating courts offer leagues, clinics and tournaments for youth and adults.

Youth day camps are offered during school vacation periods and feature sports, crafts, excursions, aquatics, and nature activities.

LBPRM and Long Beach Unified School District jointly provide after school programs in eight schools that lack nearby parks. LBPRM fields are used by schools, and school gymnasiums are used by LBPRM. A gymnasium and lighted fields are jointly maintained for students and residents.

Teen Centers are open in parks near five City High Schools. Game room fun, excursions, homework help, dances, computers, and career development activities are offered.

Hundreds of residents participate in sports and aquatics programs. Adult sports leagues involve hundreds of teams in mens, womens and coed football, basketball, baseball, softball, volleyball and roller hockey.

Golf and tennis enthusiasts enjoy play on five public golf courses, and 69 tennis centers and courts located throughout the City. The Department oversees one of the world's busiest municipal golf system.

Ten skate parks serve skateboarders and rollerbladers.

Belmont Plaza Pool, Silverado Park Pool, King Park Pool, Millikan and Jordan High School Pools in the summer, offer swim lessons. The Leeway Sailing and Aquatics Center offers classes in all types of water craft operation. School break aquatics camps for youth and teens are offered. The Department has five launch ramps for boaters to access the ocean.

Senior Citizens access social services and recreation programs at Long Beach Senior Center, Chavez, El Dorado, Houghton, McBride, Silverado Parks and the Expo Center in Bixby Knolls. Knowledgeable staff and volunteers assist patrons with utility tax exemptions; and an Information and Referral service answers questions about legal matters, social and health services.

Adaptive recreation programs are offered for pre-school, youth, and adults including opportunities to develop music and art abilities, improve fitness levels and sports skills, and enjoy social interaction in the community.

The Homeland Cultural Center provides a safe place for more than 2,800 people each month to practice traditional and contemporary art forms that represent their cultures. Programs include dancing, writing and theater programs, open mic nights and poetry readings; most are done in partnership with community arts organizations and are offered seven days a week and later in the evening so young people have a fun alternative to being on the streets.

Maintenance Operations

The Maintenance Operations Bureau oversees the upkeep of park community centers and facilities including custodial services. The team also oversees grounds maintenance including tree management, irrigation and grounds maintenance contractors.

The Bureau supports clean and safe restrooms in parks. A Park Ambassador team allows for greater staff coverage to address park restroom health and safety in 35  parks throughout the City that have a total of 55 free standing restrooms. See list here of restrooms and gates that are locked every evening after 10 p.m.

Citizen Involvement

LBPRM operates transparently and gains insight from citizen advisory commissions that advise LBPRM and the Mayor and City Council. The Parks and Recreation Commission makes recommendations about land acquisitions, park improvements, permits for leisure activities in parks, and establishes fees for programs and facility use. The Commission on Youth and Children reviews the City's legislative agenda for youth and children issues. The Marine Advisory Commission formulates policies regarding City marinas, beaches and waterways. The Senior Advisory Commission facilitates coordination between programs for the elderly. The Golf Advisory Committee reviews golf policies, fee changes; capital improvement plans, and appraises LBPRM of trends and issues in the golf business. Visit http://www.longbeach.gov/park/business-operations/citizen-commission/

Planning for the Future

Strategic Plan Executive Summary