Gladys Keiser, Manager of Community Recreation Services for LB's Dept. of Parks/Rec/Marine also tells LBREPORT.com that consisent with city standards, the cork/sand/organic type of artificial turf is also being used for soccer fields at Drake Park, Seaside Park and Admiral Kidd Parks (further below.)

A city release indicates that the new 3.3 acre park at 4951 Oregon Ave. will have -- in addition to the soccer field -- "energy efficient lighting to provide additional hours of play for Long Beach sports groups. The walking path and the series of fitness stations will provide an opportunity for healthy outdoor exercise. The playground will feature dynamic universally-accessible play structures designated for youth 2 to 5 years old and 5 to 12 years old, as well as a climbing structure, safety surfacing and colorful shade structures. There will also be benches, bike racks, picnic tables, landscaping and parking." .

[Scroll down for further.]

Construction of the park was among items offered by the developer in seeking Council approval for the developer's "Riverwalk" townhouse-style residential complex on the site of nearby former Will J. Reid scout park (4747 Daisy Ave.) The Riverwalk development's proposed density, traffic and parking impacts on a nearby residential area plus its adjacency to the L.A. River produced controversy; the Council (on motion by 8th dist. Councilman Al Austin) approved the development without dissent; a grassroots group sued; a settlement resulted allowing the residential development to proceed on reduced terms...and the developer-created park will now take shape. [LBREPORT.com coverage here.]

The park is named for Dr. C. David Molina, who as an ER physician in Long Beach treated low-income, uninsured and non-English speaking residents who didn't have a family doctor. Starting in 1980 with a single clinic, Dr. Molina and his family built Molina Healthcare into a Fortune 500 company and the family run firm remains headquartered in Long Beach.

Naming the park for Dr. Molina came in an item agendized by 8th dist. Councilman Austin, joined by Councilmembers Gonzalez, Andrews and Uranga; the item passed uanimously.

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The issue of installing artificial turf soccer fields in a number of LB parks turned controversial in late 2014 and early 2015 when residents spotted news stories nationally that raised health questions about artificial turf with "crumb rubber" infill (which may include parts of recycled tires.) Industry representatives deny alleged health risks; government agencies continue to permit the use of crumb rubber. The controversy locally led to a June 16, 2015 LB Parks & Rec. Commission agenda item which produced a split vote recommending artificial turf with organic infill material (not crumb rubber.) LB city management/staff then implemented the Parks/Rec Commission's recommendation for soccer fields at Drake, Seaside, Admiral Kidd...and that also includes the new C. David Molina Park

City staff spelled out its reasoning for choosing the cork/sand/organic infill in a "to-for-from" April 18, 2016 memo at this link. That memo was sent to Councilmembers and the Mayor one day before an April 19 Council vote on a contract to install the organic infill artificial turf at Drake park (agendizing memo at this link.)

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At the April 19, 2016 Council meeting, veteran LB parks advocate Ann Cantrell raised a number of concerns and asked several questions. To hear the salient portion of city staff and Council discussion of the artificial turf issue, including Ms. Cantrell's testimony, click here. (City staffer speaking is Public Works Dir. Craig Beck; whoosh sound indicates audio edits.)

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Earlier today (Jan. 27, 2017), Ms. Cantrell told LBREPORT.com that she continues to believe that natural grass would be a better choice from operational, maintenance, cost and user standpoints (noting that, among other things, it's cooler than artificial turf.)

But for the record: the artifical turf being installed in LB parks will use natural infill materials (cork/sand/organic infill) and not "crumb rubber."

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