Harvey Milk Park, Long Beach

Harvey Milk Park in Long Beach, California broke ground in 2012 on Harvey Milk Day, May 22. Upon its completion, it will be the first public park in the United States to be named after Harvey Milk and the first park in the City of Long Beach to be named after an LGBT person.

Location
Harvey Milk Park is located at the head of 3rd Street and Promenade in San Diego, California.

Equality Plaza
The park will include Equality Plaza, honoring members of the local LGBT community. Honorees include:
 * Pastor Michael Cole – Founder, Christ’s Chapel Long Beach; Founder, AIDS Food Store
 * Bob Crow – Co-Founder, Current Co-President, Long Beach PRIDE
 * Jean Harris – Former Executive Director, California Alliance for Pride and Equality; political leader
 * Ray Lowen – Founding member of The Center in Long Beach, activist and artist
 * Ellen “Mary” Martinez – 25 year member of Long Beach PRIDE; Board Member, The Center in Long Beach
 * Patty Moore – Former Chair and Asst. Director, The Center in Long Beach; longtime activist
 * Michael Noll – First openly gay Signal Hill Councilmember; 20 years on Council; The Center in Long Beach Board
 * Frank Rubio – Former President, Current Vice-President, Long Beach PRIDE
 * Ellen Ward – Signal Hill Councilmember 11 years; Former Exec Director AIDS Walk Long Beach

City approval
The idea was initially proposed by openly gay Councilmember Robert Garcia.

Groundbreaking
The groundbreaking was held on May 22 - Harvey Milk Day 2012. It was attended by local and LGBT leaders, including:
 * Councilmember Robert Garcia;
 * Stuart Milk;
 * Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster;
 * Signal Hill City Councilmember Larry Forester;
 * Signal Hill City Councilmember Michael J. Noll;
 * Signal Hill City Councilmember Ellen Ward;
 * and representatives from the offices of Sen. Alan Lowenthal and Assemblymembers Bonnie Lowenthal and Ricardo Lara.