PRESS RELEASE

The public is invited to attend the grand opening ceremony of the DeForest Wetlands, located at 6255 DeForest Avenue. The ribbon cutting ceremony will be held this Saturday, June 30, 2018, at 10 a.m.

“I am excited to see the City of Long Beach move forward with the restoration of the DeForest Wetlands,” said Mayor Robert Garcia. “This project will create recreation opportunities and open space in underserved neighborhoods, and further efforts to restore the Los Angeles River.”

The DeForest Wetlands project opens 34 acres of land for public use. Once overgrown with exotic vegetation or completely devoid of vegetation, the area has been transformed into a river parkway with freshwater wetlands, wildlife habitats, recreational trails, native plants, and interpretive signage, while retaining flood control and management properties. Public use includes bird watching, walking, horseback riding, and educational tours and programs.

“The restoration of our DeForest Park wetlands has been a priority for the North Long Beach community for a decade,” said Vice Mayor Rex Richardson. "This 34-acre natural open space habitat will allow our neighborhoods the opportunity to connect to the LA River, experience our environment, and learn more about conservation."

“The community has anticipated this project for a long time,” said Councilmember Al Austin. “Like the Dominguez Gap Wetlands to the south of Del Amo, the DeForest Wetlands will become a destination for residents and anyone looking for a great place to take a stroll and enjoy a bit of nature in our city.”

The total project cost was approximately $8.5 million. This project was made possible using Los Angeles County Proposition A Funds, as well as contributions from the California Resources Agency, California Coastal Conservancy, and San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy.

About the City of Long Beach

Home to approximately 480,000 people, the multiple award-winning and innovative City of Long Beach offers all the world-class amenities of a large metropolitan city while maintaining a strong sense of individual and diverse neighborhoods nestled together along the California coast. As a full-service charter city, Long Beach is home to the Queen Mary, Aquarium of the Pacific, several museums and theaters, a highly-rated school district, Long Beach Airport, the Port of Long Beach, as well as many award-winning City departments such as Health, Parks, Recreation and Marine, Development Services and more. The City also has a highly-respected university and city college, two historic ranchos, five hospitals, five golf courses, 170 parks, miles of beaches, marinas, bike paths, and a Bike Share program.

For more information about the City of Long Beach, visit http://longbeach.gov/. Follow us on social to keep up with the latest news: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

About Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine

Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine Department (PRM) is recognized for excellence in management practices and programs, having received the National Parks and Recreation Association Gold Medal Award four times. PRM provides leisure programs and services to residents and visitors, which improve quality of life in Long Beach. PRM maintains 171 parks with 26 community centers, 320 acres of open space, and 6.1 miles of beaches; implements the City's Open Space Plan, provides recreational opportunities to meet diverse community needs, maintains public marinas, and provides for public safety and the humane treatment of animals.

For more information about Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine programs and services, visit www.lbparks.org. Please “Like” us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @LongBeachParks.