"Changing the landscape for a better future."
Rotary Centennial Park changes the landscape for a better future by creating a clean, green and safe play place for youth on the former Pacific Electric (Red Car) right-of-way. To view a video of Centennial Park go the the media video section [ here ]. Long Beach Rotary invests time in the cleaning of this park the second Saturday of every month at 8am. Come join us! For more information, contact Lance Kenyon or Kay Cofield.
The Long Beach Rotary Centennial Park commemorates the 100th anniversary of Rotary International , the world's largest service organization, with more than 1,200,000 members in 31,000 clubs in 166 countries.
Rotary Centennial Park opened to the public on May 21, 2005 in Rotary International's 100th celebratory year but is cleaned every month by Long Beach Rotarians. Featuring an amazing planet walk by artist Philip Smith and stainless steel sundial sculpture by artist Patrick Vogel, this 1.2 acre park is a welcome addition to a neighborhood short on park space.
At the Long Beach City Council meeting on May 18th, 2004, the Rotary Club of Long Beach fulfilled its promise and donated $100,000 to help Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine Department to help build the park. In addition, the Rotary Club of Long Beach funded the creation of the planet walk and sundial sculpture. The Rotary Club of Celaya, Mexico, District 4160 and District 5320 participated in a Rotary International matching grant program that funded one of the play structures.
Rotary's contributions went towards the play equipment and enhanced softscape and hardscape elements of the park. Educational elements including a planet walk, sundial and public art enrich the park landscape.
"Our kids need a safe place to play."
Custom engraved "Community Bricks" were funded at $50 and $100 each. The additional funds went to help pay for educational public art. Construction began in late fall 2004. The park was dedicated on May 21, 2005 on Rotary International's 100th anniversary.
For more information, click on the links on the left side of this page. Or call the Rotary office (562) 436-8181.