R-27 Correspondence – Bill Sive
From: Bill Sive [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Tuesday, January 18, 2022 1:12 PM
To: CityClerk <[email protected]>
Subject: Long Beach City Council Meeting 1/18/22 - Item #27: Review and Adoption of the Park, Recreation and Marine 2022 Strategic Plan
-EXTERNAL-
Dear Mayor Garica and Councilmembers,
I do not support the adoption of the Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM) 2022 Strategic Plan as presented.
Over numerous years, I have requested PRM to include LGBTQ+ programming in the Movies in/on the Park/Beach series. PRM has never included LGBTQ+ family friendly programming. PRM only offers predominately Disney films and discourages foreign films, independent films, and films that are mindfully relevant to our diverse City.
Over numerous years, I have requested the addition of LGBTQ+ talent to be included in the Concert in the Park series. PRM has never included LGBTQ+ talent. The City of Long Beach has a robust LGBTQ+ talent pool that has been made invisible via exclusionary practices.
PRM fails to innovate. While other States and Countries have adopted multigenerational planning/use, the City of Long Beach has failed. PRM relies on “old school” programming that does nothing to address older adults through physical expression and joy, nor does PRM add any value of mindful stimulation. It is encouraged for PRM to adopt virtual reality, augmented reality and immersive technology programming for older adults.
Adoption of immersive technology for older adults will require the following components:
• Cognitive Ecology
• Design Thinking
• Social/Emotional Learning through Spatial Environments The Strategic Plan while addressing park consumers, omits LGBTQ+ park consumers who are purposely omitted creating an invisible class. The quality of life for LGBTQ+ older adults through PRM is presently
lacking and will continue to be lacking without careful consideration of the needs of LGBTQ+ older adults within the City of Long Beach.
The Strategic Plan, when referring to older adults, states “aims to create a comprehensive One-Stop Older Adult Resource Network”. The current programming to assist older adults lack staff that can address current needs and staff lack enthusiasm to work with the park service consumers. The goal is to “create a one-stop multigenerational resource network”. PRM is encouraged to cease siloing older adults from their younger counterparts. Multigenerational programming benefits all residents of the City of Long Beach.
PRM and its Strategic Plan lacks any discussion of budgeting therefore leading this park consumer to believe that for the next 10 years as the older adult population increases, there is no adjustment for senior services within the budget.
The Strategic Plan lacks any cohesion with the implementation of the State of California Master Plan on Aging.
In conclusion, I recommend not approving the Parks, Recreation and Marine 2022 Strategic Plan. I encourage the plan to be withdrawn from consideration. I encourage Parks, Recreation and Marine to engage with well informed consumers who are knowledgeable in older adult strategic planning. I have great concerns that a plan is being presented with over 60% white respondents whose income is more than $100,000/year. It is clear the Strategic Plan is misrepresenting the diversity of our City socially and economically.
Thank you,
Bill Sive