TITLE
Recommendation to approve a designation of Long Beach as the "Aquatics Capital of America." (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine, through its Marine Bureau, has been involved with a committee formed by a number of interested residents, with the goal to encourage the designation of the city as the "Aquatics Capital of America." The philosophy of this group was to celebrate the aquatic facilities, history, programs, and events in the city, with the objective to enhance the city by increasing city pride, attracting business and tourism, and increasing national visibility of the city.
Over the past two years, this committee has accumulated an inventory of city aquatic assets, and developed a list of aquatic programs, events, attractions, and commercial enterprises. Key members of this committee have met with City management, elected officials, and key city stakeholders, such as the Long Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau, to explain the proposal, which has been well received.
The committee has developed a formal proposal (Attachment A). The following excerpts provide additional detail and explanation regarding the proposal:
· Long Beach has an extraordinary number of aquatic assets and activities. The numbers
and diversities of people and businesses benefiting from those assets and activities are
also extraordinary.
· There is a good possibility that Long Beach's aquatic position is unique, and that Long
Beach has become the de facto "Aquatics Capital of America."
· It is time to recognize and understand those aquatic assets and activities, to quantify
their scope and the benefits they provide, and to support linkages between them that
directly increase benefits to the city's businesses, its diverse communities, and its
water-related organizations.
. The Aquatic Concept should visibly and publicly be aimed at:
1. Enhancing the city's reputation as a tourist destination;
2. Providing increased and s...
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