Parks, Recreation and Marine

Seaside Park

14th Street and Chestnut Avenue
(562) 572-5126
(2.5 acres)

Information

Park Supervision Hours:
Monday - Friday: 3-6p.m.

Seaside Park will serve the 14th Street Park neighborhood and surrounding area with supervised after school programs. Youth ages 5-14 are welcome to participate in sports, games, tournaments, crafts, homework help and more.

History

Seaside Park is located on the site of the former Seaside Hospital. Seaside Hospital was the vision of doctor A.C. Sellery, a surgeon from Toronto who moved to Long Beach in 1906 and saw the need for a local surgical facility. His fundraising efforts led to the first 18-bed Seaside facility at Broadway and Junipero, and later to a 250-bed building in 1913 at 14th and Magnolia. The facility served residents injured in the 1933 Long Beach earthquake and was as a major blood bank during World War II. Seaside Hospital closed in 1960 and became Long Beach Memorial Medical Center at 2801 Atlantic Avenue

As a result of the efforts of County Supervisor Don Knabe, the City of Long Beach was able to acquire this former County-owned site and develop it into a new park. The park was being funded by the City of Long Beach, Community Development Block Grants, Open Space Bonds, Land and Water Conservation Fund, and a State of California Proposition 40 Youth Soccer Grant.

The park also features two murals designed by artist Jose Loza. The 325-foot "Peacemakers" covers a wall bordering the soccer field. The mural depicts Rosa Parks, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Martin Luther King Jr., Gandhi, Cesar E. Chavez and Harvey Milk who have all left lasting legacies of peace and non-violence. Another 225-foot mural of birds and butterflies against a wetlands spans a wall near Cowles and Chestnut, reminds viewers to be considerate stewards of our natural resources.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held on March 28, 2009 and the park was officially dedicated on February 12, 2011.

Amenities

Beaches, Shade Structure, Soccer Field, Staff Office, Play Equipment and Restrooms.

Map to the Park