Long Beach officials and community partners on Oct. 30 opened a renovated playground at Ramona Park in North Long Beach featuring accessible equipment, cooling features and new pathways.

Councilmember Joni Ricks‑Oddie, representing the city’s Ninth District, joined Steven Scott, acting director of the Department of Parks, Recreation, Marine and Animal Care Services, Marilyn Sarakis of Public Works and other city staff and neighborhood leaders to celebrate the project and mark the official ribbon cutting.

The playground, built with funding from California State Parks, Measure A and a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), cost $2,700,000, Marilyn Sarakis said. “We got funding from California State parks. We got measure a funding from the city of Long Beach and a community development block grant also known as Cdbg from community community development. So I just wanna say thank you all together. That's $2,700,000 that it took to make these improvements happen,” Sarakis said.

Why it matters: the renovated site aims to serve children and families across abilities and to reduce heat impacts. City officials emphasized inclusive design, heat‑mitigation features and improved access to the community center as the core project goals.

“The new signature playground is more than just renovation. It's a reflection of what's possible when community comes together with a shared vision,” Councilmember Joni Ricks‑Oddie said, praising residents and city staff for outreach and design work. She noted the playground includes features intended to make it usable for children with disabilities and described elements intended to promote sensory, physical and imaginative play.

City staff and project managers described specific features added or upgraded at the site. The play area has an under‑the‑sea theme with two play zones for different age groups, inclusive swings, a sensory wave seat, a water‑themed sound panel, multiple climbing apparatus, new safety surfacing, shade structures, fog misters, hydration stations and additional trees and landscaping. The project also added new signage, curb ramps and ADA‑accessible pathways connecting the play areas to the park's community center.

Steven Scott, acting director of Parks, Recreation, Marine and Animal Care Services, and neighborhood representatives thanked funders and private partners. Scott noted Link Logistics donated new park benches and that local partners — including the Ramona Park Neighborhood Association and Partners of Parks — helped with outreach and fundraising. Sean Kearns, representing Congresswoman Nanette Barragán’s office, also attended, Sarakis and Ricks‑Oddie said.

Project management and design credits included Public Works’ Project Management Bureau and Hershey & Associates as the playground architect; the primary contractor was identified as SDJ & B Construction. City staff singled out several project managers and analysts who led outreach, design and construction.

City leaders framed the improvements as part of the larger Parks Make Long Beach strategic plan to increase accessibility and improve neighborhood parks. Sarakis told attendees that the city will continue upgrades in Council District 9, citing planned projects at DeForest Park, Houghton Park and the Hamilton Loop.

The ceremony concluded with a ribbon cutting and an invitation for residents to use the playground immediately. Councilmember Ricks‑Oddie and city staff repeatedly encouraged families and children to take advantage of the new equipment and amenities.

Ramona Park’s renovation is intended to provide an accessible, climate‑resilient gathering place for North Long Beach residents and to reflect input gathered during earlier community meetings.