(May 6, 2004, with update) -- LB's Director of the Dept. of Parks, Recreation and Marine says the 3.24 acre greenspace at the southwest corner of Clark Ave. and Conant St. is referred to as "Douglas Park" in the city's Open Space Element and is among the areas dedicated by recent City Council action as park land...but to date, no record has surfaced showing it went through LB's official park-naming process as "Douglas Park."

In response to an inquiry by LBReport.com, Parks & Rec chief Phil Hester said the open space area appears on some maps as early as 1958 but not specifically as "Douglas Park." That name apparently came about at some subsequent time -- exactly when or under what circumstances is presently unclear.

Mr. Hester indicated that to date, no record has been found showing that the 3.24 acre greenspace went through LB's formal park-naming process or was officially named "Douglas Park." At the moment, it appears the name may effectively be a "working name," a practical way to refer to the property in city listings and the like.

As previously reported by LBReport.com, Boeing Realty is renaming its ambitious proposed mixed-use development at Lakewood Blvd./Carson St. as "Douglas Park," a nod to the site's aircraft heritage.

[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."

As previously reported by LBReport.com, to our knowledge there is no visible monument or marker at Parks & Rec's "Douglas Park, which fronts the west side of Clark Ave. from Conant St. south to Fire Station 19.

The small park is well kept, with manicured green grass and several Jacarandas and other trees.

A web page on LB's Dept. of Parks, Recreation & Marine web site refers to it as "Douglas Park."

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.

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 that Parks & Rec's "Douglas Park" precludes use of the name "Douglas Park" for the Boeing Realty development; we just think it's an interesting story.]

The saga continues. Further to follow on LBReport.com as newsworthy

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