The City of Long Beach Department of Public Works is launching an important effort to connect Drake Park and Cesar E. Chavez Park into a single, unified regional park space through a master planning process. This project aims to expand public access to open space, strengthen connections between surrounding neighborhoods, and create a continuous recreation corridor along the lower Los Angeles River. Once complete, the project will transform nearly 20 acres of existing and new open space and transform portions of the adjacent former industrial area into an accessible, multi-use public space for recreation, gathering, and environmental restoration.

In partnership with Stoss and the City of Long Beach, TRG is leading community engagement for the project’s design and planning phases. TRG’s outreach strategy focuses on ensuring residents have meaningful opportunities to learn about the proposed improvements, share priorities, and provide input that will shape the final design and future vision for both parks.

To achieve this, TRG is organizing community workshops designed to inform the public about the proposed updates to Drake-Chavez Park Master Planning efforts and gather direct feedback from community members. These workshops provide residents with the opportunity to learn about the project goals, review design concepts, and participate in interactive activities that identify preferred park features and recreational uses.

TRG’s community engagement plan includes:

• Multilingual communications and materials translated into Long Beach’s key language groups; Spanish, Khmer, and Tagalog, to ensure accessibility for all residents.
• A dedicated project website providing up-to-date information, design concepts, and opportunities for online feedback.
• Pop-up events held within existing community gatherings and near the project area to reach residents who may not attend formal meetings.
• Youth workshops to collaborate with Long Beach’s younger residents to envision a future space they can grow up in.

Through these efforts, TRG is helping the City of Long Beach build inclusive dialogue with the community, ensuring that the design of the Drake-Chavez Park Master Planning Project reflects local priorities, supports neighborhood cohesion, and enhances recreational and ecological opportunities along the lower Los Angeles River.