Help us bring evening lighting to the Junipero Beach roller rink and basketball courts.

The City of Long Beach made a significant investment in our coastline with the roller skating rink and basketball courts at Junipero Beach (2630 E. Ocean Blvd.), a $1.05 million project funded through Tidelands Capital. These facilities have quickly become gathering places for skaters, basketball players, families, and beachgoers.

But there's one major missing piece: dedicated lighting. While the parking lot, staircases, and beach path are lit, the rink and courts lack dedicated lighting. With sunset around 5:00 PM during fall and winter, these spaces become difficult to use after dark. Working residents, students, and families who can't visit during daylight lose access to facilities built for public enjoyment.

Why Lighting Matters:

1. Access: Appropriate lighting extends opportunities for skating, basketball, exercise, and community gatherings beyond daylight hours.
2. Safety: Unlit recreational areas beside illuminated paths create visibility concerns. Thoughtfully designed lighting can improve visibility, support natural surveillance, and help people feel safer.
3. Public investment: Lighting would help maximize the community's investment by making these facilities accessible for more hours of the day.

We're not asking for high-intensity stadium lighting. We're asking the City to evaluate practical, energy-efficient options that balance access, safety, and the coastal environment.

We respectfully ask Long Beach officials to:

1. Evaluate feasibility and cost: Direct Public Works and Parks, Recreation and Marine to assess lighting options and provide preliminary cost estimates for the rink and courts.
2. Identify funding: Explore Tidelands Capital funds, Elevate '28, and other potential funding sources.
3. Use environmentally responsible design: Evaluate shielded, downward-facing, low-spill fixtures with timers or scheduled shut-off to minimize impacts on nearby residents and coastal wildlife.
4. Identify approvals and timeline: Determine which coastal, environmental, and other approvals may be required, along with a potential implementation timeline.

Whether you skate, play basketball, walk the beach, or live nearby, please sign and share this petition. Let's make sure our community can continue enjoying these facilities after the sun goes down!