On June 25, 2024, Dean Howell, PLA, ASLA and the City of Long Beach received the Urban Design Award of Merit for the Victory/Santa Cruz Park Design Guidelines during the 2024 APA Los Angeles Section awards gala.
The APA Los Angeles event showcased the region’s top planning work, best practices, and thought leaders dedicated to the place-making profession. The evening honored the award winners and celebrated the remarkable work across the LA region to create more livable, vibrant, and inclusive communities.
Victory and Santa Cruz Park, the oldest public park in the City of Long Beach, is located in Downtown on the south side of Ocean Boulevard. The plan hit a few roadblocks during the Pandemic, but has finally made its way through the City approval process. The updated design guidelines aim to ensure that the land comprising Victory Park and Santa Cruz Park is available for the enjoyment of Long Beach citizens and the general public, and to coordinate the design and renovation of the parks.
Congratulations to all the Landscape Architects and Planners at Gruen Associates that worked on the plan throughout the process!