Plans for MacArthur Park upgrades with a Cambodian-inspired playground expansion, picnic areas and fitness equipment were released at a Jan. 16 Long Beach City Council meeting.
The City rewarded the Buena Park company Bitech Construction with up to $7.2 million to make the improvements. The total estimated cost of the project is $10.5 million.
According to staff reports, the community surrounding MacArthur Park in central Long Beach is one of the most densely populated areas in the city and was identified as having a “high need” for green space by the Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation Needs Assessment.
The Signal Tribune reached out to Councilmember Suely Saro’s office multiple times asking when construction on the park would begin and did not receive an answer by the time of publication.
MacArthur Park will receive an expanded playground inspired by Southeast Asian/Cambodian riverine landscaping, a rubber surface resembling a pond with lily pads and flowers, thatch hut roofs providing shade, and animals native to the area such as the Irrawaddy dolphin and the Baby Asian elephant.
The playground will also include musical instruments bolted into the ground, netted climbing structures, a wheelchair accessible ramp, rubber mounds for climbing, therapeutic rings, play boulders and a dragonfly seesaw.
Community gathering areas will be provided with a large group shelter resembling a pagoda, an architectural style common to Cambodia, China, Thailand and Southeast Asian countries with an ornate roof. Picnic tables will be spread out along the walking trail loop surrounding the park.
The existing lawn will be repurposed to include a fitness walking loop complete with workout equipment along the trail and improved lighting and security cameras. The park’s existing half-sized basketball court will be replaced with a full-sized court along with new fencing along the court and playground.
Funding for the MacArthur Park Rehabilitation Project includes:
- $8.5 from California Department of Parks and Recreation grant
- $1 million in Fiscal Year 2024 Measure Elevate 28 funds
- $1 million in County Measure A funds
MacArthur Park was established as General Douglas MacArthur Park on Nov. 4, 1942. The park received basketball and tennis courts, a playground, picnic areas and restrooms throughout the 1980s and ‘90s.
In 2009, the city added an outdoor theater and gallery building through the State Parks Bond Act, and no further improvements have been made to the park since then.
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