The Californer - City of Long Beach to Host Community Meeting on Martin Luther King Jr. Park Projects

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Long Beach, CA ~ Long Beach, CA - The City of Long Beach is making strides to improve Martin Luther King Jr. Park with the help of the Departments of Public Works and Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM). Community members are invited to attend a meeting on Monday, May 18, 2026, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Martin Luther King Jr. Park Community Center (1950 Lemon Ave.) to learn more about the planned improvements.

The Department of Public Works is leading two coordinated projects that will bring both immediate upgrades and long-term enhancements to the park. At the meeting, attendees will have the opportunity to review and learn more about the proposed improvements, ask questions, and provide input on shaping the future of this important community resource. Interpretation services will be available in Spanish, Khmer, and Tagalog.

One of the projects includes a roof replacement for the community center and renovations to restrooms. This project aims to ensure code compliance and safety while also improving functionality, accessibility, and comfort for park users. The other project will focus on enhancing core recreation areas and addressing immediate community needs as outlined in the Martin Luther King Jr. Park Vision Plan (Plan).

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The Plan was developed through a collaborative process led by PRM in partnership with various organizations such as the King Park Steering Committee, Long Beach Alliance, Food Fitness, Boys and Girls Club of Long Beach, and City Fabrick. It was adopted by the Long Beach City Council in 2024 after receiving input from Friends of Martin Luther King Park - a neighborhood group that emerged from the King Park Steering Committee.

Construction for both projects is expected to begin in summer 2026. For updates on timelines and progress, interested individuals can visit the project webpage. The first phase will involve replacing the roof for the community center while playground enhancements will be prioritized for the second phase.

These projects represent a significant investment in improving this vital community asset and align with the City's long-term vision for the site. The Martin Luther King Jr. Park Planning, Restroom Renovation, and Critical Repairs to the Community Center project are funded through Measure A and a Congressional earmark secured by Representative Robert Garcia. The Martin Luther King Jr. Improvements project is supported by Measure A, Construction and Demolition funds, and Park Impact Fees.

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The current available funding of over $5 million will cover the initial phase of improvements, with additional phases to be implemented as more funding is secured. These projects build upon previous capital investments such as the Martin Luther King Jr. Park Swimming Pool Upgrades completed in June 2025 and the Central Health WIC Facility Improvements completed in April 2023.

These projects are part of the Elevate '28 Infrastructure Investment Plan, which has allocated over $1 billion for nearly 200 projects aimed at revitalizing parks and community facilities while also improving accessibility and transportation throughout Long Beach. More information about this historic investment in infrastructure can be found at lbelevate28.com.

For more information on these projects or to sign up for updates, visit lbcity.info/MLKJrParkProjects. Media inquiries can be directed to Jocelin Padilla-Razo, Community Information Officer for the Department of Public Works at 562.570.4668 or LBPWMedia@longbeach.gov.

Filed Under: Government, City

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