Riverpark Coalition 2024 – Past, Present & Future

Riverpark Coalition to host a public event celebrating successes, discuss vision and plans for 2024. Riverpark Coalition encourages community participation in its pursuit of park equity goals for west Long Beach.

Riverpark Coalition or RPC is celebrating four years of work on a venture to gain parkland/open space on the westside of Long Beach. Undeveloped land is at a premium with limited parcels that can be acquired for public parkland. A group of citizens formed the Riverpark Coalition in November 2020, and became a 501c3 nonprofit in 2022. 

RPC won a lawsuit to require an Environmental Impact Report or EIR of the old oil operator’s land (formerly the driving range) at 3701 Pacific Place along the LA River. Another parcel that had long been designated for parkland in city plans on the south side of the 405 at 712 Baker Street subsequently approved by City of Long Beach as planned gated residential development. Riverpark Coalition filed a lawsuit and the suit was subsequently settled with a commitment by the developer to record a covenant of a five-acre extension of the existing Baker Street Park to be publicly accessible in perpetuity, despite being on private property. In order to conform to the City’s “H” zoning and in keeping with its equestrian legacy, the developer shall construct a Public Equestrian Rest Area or PERA on the neighboring county parcel along with other improvements. The Riverpark Coalition still has challenges ahead and seeks public support and participation. 

Join the event and learn more.

Your RSVP will help to plan refreshments and craft materials for kids.

Participants: Riverpark Coalition, Audubon, Sierra Club, LB Water Department, Rock the Boat film producer Thea Mercouri, LA River Kayaking – Steve Appleton, LA River X (Tilly Hilton), LA Waterkeepers, and more.

Activities include: Films and exhibits, meet the players: Riverpark Coalition board Education:

Rock the Boat film – a trip down the LA River in a kayak. This is the story of a single person’s determination to show that the LA river is still navigable and deserves to be designated as a resource that can be developed using grants and public monies.

Equestrian Corner – short film and display. Information on trail signage and equestrian history.

Slideshow: a map of the future showing target properties for parkland; plans to pursue parkland, history of the area, environmental status including air quality.

Crafts: Learning by Doing – wildflower seed balls

Kids corner: art activities

Plans: Pollinator Project with insects and butterflies.

A plant sale to raise funds for the pollinator project

Make the Long Beach RiverLink a reality

Public input: An exercise to collect what features the community would like to see in new parkland

Refreshments: Finger foods and drinks

 ~ Juan Ovalle, Riverpark Coalition chair, provided the following statement:

“Our successes in the past years are only the beginning. The challenge of increasing park space on the westside to even begin to equate to that which the eastside enjoys (17 acres per 1000 people) is formidable, but worth the effort. The decisions we make today matter profoundly in the future of our children and all members of our community. We hope to expand public support of Riverpark Coalition and continue this endeavor in solidarity.”

Time: 1:30 to 4 p.m., April 28

Cost: Free

Details:  RSVP @RIVERPARKCOALITION.ORG

Venue: EXPO Arts Center 4321 Atlantic Ave. (Bixby Knolls) Long Beach

https://www.riverparkcoalition.org