Time to Go Back to the Improved El Dorado Duck Pond

For those tired of waiting for the duck pond park to reopen, there is great news!

More than 100 Long Beach residents got to have their dreams restored on June 27 during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the El Dorado Duck Pond. Mayor Rex Richardson and Councilman Daryl Supernaw joined staff from the Departments of Parks, Recreation and Marine and Public Works to welcome locals back to the park, along with plenty of ducks and geese.

Attendees were thrilled to see the event happen a few months earlier than expected – even though the project had taken about a year and three quarters to complete. Heavy rainfalls during Summer 2023 caused a 4-month delay from the initial expectation for the project to be completed. Construction began in September 2022 and was finished last month.

Along with being wowed by seeing the pond’s water looking and smelling much cleaner, and the bike path and walkways around the pond being restored, there were a few more treats to experience.

The number of ducks and geese looked to be about what it was during 2022, prior to the construction project starting up. Approved wildlife relocation activities began prior to the pond being drained. Wildlife had been relocated to other sections of El Dorado Park.

In 2021, the California Dept. of Fish and Wildlife entered an agreement with the City of Long Beach to make the necessary cleanup and system improvements – with protecting wildlife being part of it. That included getting the funding and resources to remove about 7,000 cubic yards of built-up sediment and debris; dewatering and removal of that sediment and debris, and the pond’s base had to be dried out; removing the pond liner and bringing the pond to grade; replacing the concrete shoreline; upgrading the pipelines and draining system; establishing a detention feature for water quality treatment; and putting in seven wetland planters around the edge of the pond.

Improvements Made by the City

The mayor and councilman were pleased to describe improvements made during the redevelopment project. That includes improving public access, converting the pond into a recycled water reservoir, and upgrading the walkway around the pond.

Other achievements were improving water quality, supporting the pond’s habitat by restoring the pond liner, enlarging the wetlands and forebay, removing invasive species, and the planting of California native landscaping. Those attending the event got to see protective wire covers over the new native plants added to the park.

They were also pleased to announce that a new reclaimed water system for the adjacent El Dorado Park golf course has been installed, and that it is significantly reducing the use of potable water. The Long Beach Water Department will be utilizing the treated water from the pond to irrigate that golf course.

Installation of a new system treatment that will provide filtration and disinfection of any water distributed through the irrigation system was carried out to accomplish that goal.

The city ended up spending about $10.1 million to get all this work done and to bring it up to statewide standards. The project was supported by Long Beach Measure A, Los Angeles County Measure W, grant funding from the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District Grant, and federal grant funding in partnership with the Long Beach Water Department.

Los Angeles Engineering Inc. did the primary work on the pond.

For those who’d like to tap into other resources at this section of El Dorado Park, there’s plenty to do and see. That includes having access to a soccer field, an amphitheater, a playground, two parking lots and restrooms. Improvements have been made to the walking paths.

You’ll also notice that a power sub-station has been added next to the duck pond. It’s been designed and painted to tie into the landscape.

Jon LeSage is a resident of Long Beach and a veteran business media reporter and editor. You can reach him at jtlesage1@yahoo.com.