South Bay Leader

Long Beach, CA – Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM) has launched a Park Ambassador program. The programs main goals are to significantly enhance staff presence in our major parks, provide staffing to address patron complaints, enhance the cleanliness of park facilities and improve the experience of visitors at City parks.

“With the introduction of the Park Ambassador program, we're raising the bar for park excellence in Long Beach," said Mayor Rex Richardson. "This initiative empowers our dedicated staff to enhance park services and cleanliness so residents and visitors can enjoy a safe, clean, and great outdoor experience."

The Park Ambassador program will support 39 parks citywide with over 50 free standing restrooms, as well as several mini parks that have gates that need to be locked at the 10 p.m. park closing time. In the past only four parks have had limited park ranger hours. This new model converts the limited park ranger services to park ambassadors and triples the number of budgeted positions to provide significantly more maintenance services, staff and attention to the parks, and expands staff presence from four parks to 39 throughout the entire City.

City contract workers currently clean restrooms in the mornings and check them again later in the day. The added staffing will allow restroom cleaning frequencies up to six times a day and ensure restrooms are being used for their intended purpose. While the daily focus and goals of the Park Ambassador team are to ensure park restrooms become cleaner and more welcoming for all visitors, park patrons will be able to report concerns to the Ambassadors, who will also serve as extra “eyes and ears” in the park. The extended presence of Park Ambassadors into the evening hours will provide greater opportunities for the public to engage with friendly, approachable and knowledgeable PRM staff members about matters of importance in their beloved parks.

“From addressing vandalism to providing a reassuring presence in the parks, this new staffing model will greatly enhance the park visitor experience,” said Parks, Recreation and Marine Director Brent Dennis.

The Park Ambassador team consists of six Maintenance Assistant III’s, four Maintenance Assistant II’s and one Building Services Supervisor that will clean and maintain bathrooms approximately six times a day and lock them at night. Additionally, staff will support the Community Center floor care program, power washing and miscellaneous maintenance needs and help ensure that the terms of the City custodial contracts are being met.

Park Ambassadors have undergone situational awareness training to equip them with skills for handling challenging situations and are supported by the Long Beach Police Department for emergency safety response needs.

Park patrons are encouraged to assist park staff by reporting maintenance issues. Calls to PRM Maintenance Operations staff can be made at 562.570.4895 Monday through Friday between 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Residents can also download the Go Long Beach app in Apple and Android formats, and report graffiti, potholes, and maintenance issues online.

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, 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, 166 parks, miles of beaches, marinas, bike paths, and a Bike Share program.

For more information about the City of Long Beach, visit 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 the quality of life in Long Beach. PRM maintains 166 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, visit 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.