South Bay Leader

Long Beach, CA – The City of Long Beach celebrated the official opening of Wrigley Greenbelt with a ribbon cutting ceremony held on Friday, May 19. This grant-funded community project provides restoration and preservation of green space in Long Beach’s Wrigley Neighborhood along the I-710 freeway.

“We continue to identify ways to make our parks and open spaces sustainable while also encouraging healthy, active living,” said Mayor Rex Richardson. “The new and improved Wrigley Greenbelt will benefit our community for many years to come.”

Located at De Forest Avenue between 26th Way and 34th Street, the Wrigley Greenbelt includes new improvements such as a one-mile walking trail, new picnic tables, and a sustainable design with new landscaping of drought resistant native plants, a new irrigation system, and dry stream beds to improve stormwater runoff. These enhancements will elevate visitor experience and provide the community a place for recreation, exercise and more. New native trees have been planted providing a green buffer to improve air quality, while benefiting wildlife and the local ecosystem.

“The enhancements made to the Wrigley Greenbelt will become an asset for this community. It will offer residents in this neighborhood the opportunity to take in the beautiful sustainable landscape and enjoy the new walking path just in time for summer,” said Seventh District Councilmember Roberto Uranga. “I am grateful to our city, county and state partners for their support in this project.”

The Wrigley Greenbelt project is a $3.82 million project with funding support totaling $1.62 million from Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District (LACRPOSD) grant funding; $1 million from Park Impact fees, and $1.2 million from Construction & Demolition Recycling Program funds. Cal Fire grants were also secured by Conservation Corps of Long Beach, the project partner. To continue restoration efforts and maintenance for the greenbelt, State Senator Lena Gonzalez has earmarked $1.2 Million for the project.

More information about the Wrigley Greenbelt Project is available on the Department of Public Works’ webpage.

About the City of Long Beach

Home to approximately 470,000 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 and Human Services; Parks, Recreation and Marine; Development Services; Public Works and more. The City also has a highly respected university and city college, two historic ranchos, five hospitals, 12 libraries, five golf courses, 169 parks, miles of beaches, marinas, bike paths and a Bike Share program.

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

About Public Works

The Long Beach Public Works Department strives to operate, preserve, and enhance the City's physical infrastructure and transportation systems. The Department provides a variety of community services including the repair, rehabilitation and general upkeep of City streets, trees, sidewalks, and City structures. Public Works also provides emergency support services throughout the City. Visit us at longbeach.gov/pw/, and follow us on Facebook,  Twitter and Instagram.

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 169 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 the Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine programs and services, visit www.longbeach.gov/park Follow us on social to keep up with the latest news on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

Original source can be found here.