Parks, Recreation and Marine

There were two exceptions. First, two bluff top hotel sites were also to belong to the Company. Second, streets were dedicated from Ocean Boulevard to the high tide line at Linden Avenue, Pine Avenue and Magnolia Avenue. Periodic lawsuits over the issue continued until 1916. The park's development occurred on a block-by-block basis and consisted primarily of lawn, with a few trees, to preserve the views to the ocean. The park was renamed Victory Park in 1919 in honor of the victory in World War I.

In 1920 the area between Hart Court and Alamitos was dedicated as Victory Park to memorialize those who had perished in World War I. It was also felt that the park was a form of tribute to the citizens of Long Beach for their overwhelming support of Liberty loan campaigns and other war fund drives. During the building boom of the 1920's fueled by the oil discovery on Signal Hill and in the Alamitos Bay area, substantial buildings were built between Victory Park and the high tide line. Many of the developers of the buildings wanted access to their buildings from Ocean Boulevard. The City granted such access in many cases in exchange for the developers landscaping the park and establishing roadways to the high tide line then defined by Seaside Way. This created a pattern of circular driveways through the park, of inconsistent landscaping, and additional interruptions in the park for roadways. Renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. who designed NYC's Central Park designed the area in 1923.

In 1964, the City widened Ocean Boulevard into the park, further reducing its width varying by 10-20 feet. At that time, the City also covered over the entrance to the tunnel and arcade that had existed from the northeast corner of Ocean Boulevard and Pine Avenue, through the Jergins Trust Building basement to Seaside Way. The former entrance is now located in the parking lane under Ocean Boulevard.

In 1980, the City Council and the California Coastal Commission certified the Local Coastal Program (LCP). With design guidelines adopted in 1989, the LCP seeks to reestablish Victory Park as a unified park throughout downtown Long Beach. The LCP requires all new development and conversions of apartments to condominiums to rebuild Victory Park according to those design guidelines, and to dedicate additional depth to the park to create a minimum depth of 80 feet from the Ocean Boulevard curb. Six blocks have been partially or completely redeveloped since this requirement was established. The design guidelines seek to create a unified look with similar trees and shrubs for a passive public park with park benches and with at least two thirds of the park covered with turf. (Also see Santa Cruz Park and Auditorium Park).

A rededication celebration was held on May 5, 2005 to celebrate the unique blend of open space and park amenities that incorporates public art elements, greenery, and areas for the public to enjoy. This new oasis in the city is the result of the collaboration of the Genesis Development, EDI Architecture, the Long Beach arts community, and the City's Parks, Recreation and Marine, and Planning staff.

In the 1970s development along Ocean Blvd. diminished the presence of Victory Park. Today we see an example of how developers are restoring amenities to once again make a Victory Park a place where downtown residents, employees and visitors can relax and enjoy a beautifully landscaped park. A second mini park facing Seaside Way will be developed as well as a site incorporating the Looff Building roof cupola.