(May 5, 2004, updated May 6) -- Although Boeing Realty is renaming its ambitious proposed mixed-use development at Lakewood Blvd./Carson St. "Douglas Park" to reflect the site's aircraft heritage, LBReport.com has learned that the name "Douglas Park" in LB is already, er, well, spoken for.

There is a "Douglas Park" in LB -- consisting of 3.24 acres of park land at the southwest corner of Clark Ave. and Conant St.

To our knowledge, it has no visible monument or marker...but it fronts the west side of Clark Ave. from Conant St. south to Fire Station 19.

It has manicured green grass, several Jacarandas and other trees...

...and a web page on LB's Dept. of Parks, Recreation & Marine web site.

The web page (part of City Hall's www.lbparks.org) says, "Douglas Park, Clark Ave. and Conant St....Green area in front of Boeing plant and across from Veterans Stadium."

Source: www.lbparks.org

The page can be accessed at www.lbparks.org's Douglas Park page.

[Update] Ms. DeDe Soto, Douglas Park development manager, told LBReport.com in a May 6 emailed statement:

"We were aware of the park’s existence prior to choosing the name Douglas Park. But, we believe the name Douglas Park can represent a broader area and commemorate its rich aviation history and feels more connected to Long Beach. In fact, Douglas Park was a name we heard through various input."

The existing "Douglas Park" is immediately east of a Boeing-related aviation training center and office facilities on Conant St.

[LBReport.com comment: We're not suggesting this precludes use of the name "Douglas Park" for the Boeing Realty development; we just think it's an interesting story.]

Further to follow as newsworthy on LBReport.com.

[See additional May 6 at: More On Mystery of Parks & Rec's "Douglas Park"

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