Opinion: Keep Belmont Plaza Park

LBReport.com

Opinion

Keep Belmont Plaza Park

by Susan Miller

* Ms. Miller has lived across from Belmont Pool for 22 years and was the only resident on the City Hall designated Pool advisory committee

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(Feb. 18, 2015) -- Belmont Plaza Park reopened on Tuesday, February 10th. The demolition of Belmont Olympic Plaza pool wrapped up recently and when the construction fences came down, Belmont Plaza Park emerged.

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Belmont Plaza Park is becoming increasingly popular as the community discovers it. They see its natural beauty, including old growth trees alongside our gorgeous beach and shoreline. We see new visitors discovering it every day, not only local residents and beachgoers but also hummingbirds and Monarch butterflies. Soon the Snowy Egrets and Black-crowned night herons will be migrating back to their nesting grounds.

Dogs and their owners are prevalent in the Park as they make their way to enjoy the ocean at Rosie's Dog Beach. At least one area business is considering holding special events this summer along the beach in front of Belmont Plaza Park.

I urge every Long Beact taxpayer, no matter what part of town you're in, to come by and see Belmont Plaza Park for yourself. Take in its natural open space beauty. Enjoy the sea breeze alongside the old growth trees. Take in the new ocean view at Belmont Olympic Plaza.

Then call or email your City Councilmember. Tell him or her that you want the City Council to make Belmont Plaza Park into a permanent natural/passive recreation park and find a smarter location for an Aquatic center that isn't plagued by costly liquefaction issues. Then, Long Beach would have two wonderful parks at less cost.

Belmont Plaza Park's open space is priceless and it's ours. It should be treasured and preserved for the entire city to enjoy now and in the future.

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