Politics & Government
Colorado Lagoon Celebrates Grand Re-Opening
The community is invited to a day of music, activities, food trucks and more at a free event held in honor of the cleaner lagoon.
Friends of the Colorado Lagoon and the City of Long Beach are teaming up for a grand re-opening celebration of the Colorado Lagoon Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
It's the first time the lagoon will be open to the public after a dredging project to remove about 63,000 cubic yards of contaminated mud closed its fences several months ago.
Featuring live music, lagoon tours, booths, food truck fare and family fun, the event marks one step in the city’s ongoing restoration project meant to revitalize the once thriving salt marsh that plays an integral role as a habitat for local wildlife.
In addition to removing sediment, which will be used as fill in the at the Port of Los Angeles, FOCL is also planning updates to the area’s trails and signs after receiving $500,000 from the San Gabriel & Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy March 19.
Now a 13-acre natural area, the Colorado Lagoon was formerly part of the Los Cerritos Wetlands, comprising up to 2400 acres and most of East Long Beach before oil production and the influx of settlemens altered the landscape.
One of the few urban wetlands to survive encroaching civilization, the Colorado Lagoon provides vital refuge for wildlife and native species despite being polluted and partially cut off from Alamitos Bay, according to FOCL’s web site. It has also managed to remain a recreation site for locals through the generations.
Committed to restoring the wetland into a healthy ecosystem that supports local wildlife as well as recreational and educational opportunities, FOCL holds several activities and volunteer opportunities throughout the year.
Programs include Salt Marsh Monday clean-ups weekly from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Estuary Explorations the second Saturday of every month from 8-10 a.m., and Science Shack Hours Saturdays and Sundays from 2-7 p.m. until September 2.
The Colorado Lagoon is located in Long Beach at 5119 E Colorado St. and near the Wetland and Marine Science Education Center on Appian Way.
For more information, click here, check out FCOL on facebook or email them at friends@coloradolagoon.org.