PRESS RELEASE

Long Beach, CA - The City of Long Beach Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM) will resume issuing reservation permits for park picnic groves, bandshells and amphitheater on Monday, May 24.

"Thanks to our collective efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19, our City has moved to the Yellow Tier that allows groups of less than 100 to safely gather in reserved outdoor park sites,” said Mayor Robert Garcia. “We look forward to being able to issue permits for indoor events at park community centers in the near future.” 

Reservable outdoor sites include El Dorado Park West picnic areas, including Willow Grove; bandshells at Bixby and Recreation parks; Cesar E. Chavez Park Amphitheater; and picnic groves at El Dorado Regional Park. Permits must be requested at least two weeks prior to the event.

Details regarding permit applications, fees and other information for all PRM sites is available online by visiting LBparks.org and clicking “Facility Reservations Permits.” Those interested in requesting a permit for a specific location should follow the below instructions:

• El Dorado Park West picnic groves; bandshells at Bixby and Recreation parks; and Cesar E. Chavez Park Amphitheater
  • In person at the PRM Reservations Office, located at 2670 N. Studebaker Road, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Appointments are needed to enter the PRM Reservations Office, and may be made online. The last appointment slot is at 4 p.m.) 
  • Forms and driver’s license can be emailed to PRM-Info@longbeach.gov or faxed to 562.570.3113. An office representative will contact the customer to complete the application process and set up same day online payment for the customer once the permit is created and approved. If not paid by end of day, the permit will be canceled. For more information, people may call 562.570.3111.
• El Dorado Regional Park picnic groves
  • In person at El Dorado Park Nature Center, Visitors Center, located at 7550 E. Spring St., Tuesday through Sunday, from 8:30 a.m.to 4 p.m.
  • Applications can be turned in at the same time and will be processed the following business day. A staff member will contact the patron to complete the application. For more information call 562.570.1750.

Information about reservable picnic sites and applicable fees is available on the PRM Facility Reservations webpage.

Permit applications and rule forms are available on the PRM Facility Reservation Forms webpage. 

To align with the current City Health Order for the Yellow (Minimal) Tier, COVID-19 health protocols for picnic grove and bandshell reservations include: 

• Maintain at least six-foot physical distance from other individuals, even when wearing a face covering.
• Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol, as frequently as possible.
• Avoid shaking hands.
• Do not participate if feeling sick.
• Wear a face covering.

PRM reservations ceased last year due to public health restrictions and safety precautions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now that Long Beach has seen a drastic and continual decline in cases and hospitalizations related to COVID-19, and as more people become inoculated, PRM is able to provide reservations again.

For the latest information on COVID-19, with details on all that the City of Long Beach is doing to keep our residents safe, visit longbeach.gov/COVID19 and follow @LongBeachCity on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.