Seaside Park

Historical Background

Seaside Park is a 2.5-acre public space located at 14th Street and Chestnut Avenue in Long Beach, California. The park, which opened in 2011, serves the local community with various recreational facilities and artistic features.

It was built on the former site of Seaside Hospital, which operated from 1913 to 1960 before relocating and becoming Long Beach Memorial Medical Center.

Artistic Features

The park is notable for its two large murals designed by artist Jose Loza. The first, titled "Peacemakers," spans 325 feet along a wall bordering the soccer field.

This impressive mural depicts influential figures such as Rosa Parks, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Martin Luther King Jr., Gandhi, Cesar E. Chavez, and Harvey Milk, all of whom have left lasting legacies of peace and non-violence.

The second mural, stretching 225 feet near Cowles and Chestnut, features birds and butterflies against a wetlands backdrop, serving as a reminder for visitors to be considerate stewards of natural resources.

Youth Programs

Seaside Park provides supervised after-school programs for youth ages 5-14, offering activities such as sports, games, tournaments, crafts, and homework assistance.

Development

The park's development was made possible through funding from various sources, including the City of Long Beach, Community Development Block Grants, Open Space Bonds, Land and Water Conservation Fund, and a State of California Proposition 40 Youth Soccer Grant.