Harvey Milk Park

Harvey Milk Promenade Park, located in Long Beach, California, is a small but significant urban park spanning 0.20 acres. Established as the first park in Long Beach named after an openly gay person, it also holds the distinction of being the first park in the nation named after civil rights leader Harvey Milk.

The park transformed a formerly empty paved area at the end of a pedestrian promenade, situated between a busy street and a tall parking structure. It provides a welcome bit of open space in a crowded urban environment, offering visitors a place to rest and reflect.

A focal point of the park is Equality Plaza, an area dedicated to recognizing local LGBTQ leaders and their contributions to Long Beach and the gay civil rights movement. This feature underscores the park's role in honoring diversity and civil rights.

The park incorporates historical elements, including the "Long Beach Recreation" mosaic mural. This Works Progress Administration (WPA) piece, originally installed in 1938 at the former Municipal Auditorium, was saved from demolition and relocated to the park. The monumental mosaic illustrates various local activities, adding a touch of Long Beach history to the space.

In terms of landscaping, the park features environmentally sustainable choices, including California native plants and a small grove of orange trees. This thoughtful selection of flora not only enhances the park's aesthetic appeal but also promotes ecological responsibility.