Los Cerritos Park

How many parks do you know that hold both joyous celebrations and quiet remembrances? Here at Los Cerritos Park, nestled in Long Beach, the echoes of laughter from children on the playground mingle with the rustling leaves of memorial trees. Los Cerritos Park is more than just green space. It’s a living tapestry woven with threads of history, community, and remembrance. The original heart of Los Cerritos Park was a gift, a 1.9-acre plot donated by Amelia Bixby to Los Angeles County in 1907. Annexed to Long Beach in 1924, the park became a local hub, conveniently situated next to the Pacific Electric Los Cerritos Station. Over the years, it grew, expanding to its current 7.24 acres, embracing new stories and commemorations. Imagine the hustle and bustle of those early days, with commuters heading to Los Angeles, the clatter of the Pacific Electric railway a constant backdrop to the park’s tranquility. Today, the MTA Blue Line whirs past, a modern echo of that bygone era. Within Los Cerritos Park, five memorials stand as silent witnesses to lives lived and loved. A grove, dedicated in 1985 to local race car driver Gary “Rocketman” Gabelich, celebrates a life of speed and charity. Gabelich, a holder of world speed records on land and sea, was also a dedicated philanthropist, supporting causes like the Special Olympics and March of Dimes. A jacaranda tree, planted in 2014, honors Lillian Kawasaki, a pioneering environmental leader for Southern California. She was instrumental in the creation of the Environmental Affairs Department for the City of Los Angeles. Each Christmas, her family and friends gather around the tree, their carols a testament to her enduring spirit. Three olive trees, planted in 2020, offer a poignant reminder of the Awaida family, tragically lost in a car accident near the park. These young trees, mirroring the young lives cut short, stand as a symbol of community grief and remembrance. A California Pepper Tree, planted in 2013, commemorates Clarice Murphy. A gift from her son and the community, it offers a shady resting spot, a place for quiet reflection. A section of the park, once known as Rowett Park, honors Charles R. Rowett, a prominent early developer of Los Cerritos. Rowett, a staunch opponent of oil drilling in the neighborhood, played a key role in its restoration after the wells were banned. He was affectionately known as the “Mayor of Los Cerritos”, a testament to his dedication to the community. As you stroll through Los Cerritos Park, take a moment to appreciate the layers of history beneath your feet, the stories whispered in the rustling leaves. From a small parcel of donated land, it has grown into a vibrant community space, a place where memories are made and cherished, where past and present intertwine.