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Long Beach Residents Asked to Weigh in on Renaming of César Chávez Sites
By Staff Writer
Published on Thu, Oct 29, 2026
The City of Long Beach is asking residents to weigh in on the renaming of City sites and events recognizing César Chávez. The decision comes after sexual abuse allegations against Chávez surfaced earlier this year.
The community engagement sessions will be spaces for connection, reflection and healing with opportunities for community members to share their experiences, perspectives and recommendations for the renaming of City sites and events. Community input gathered through these sessions will inform recommendations presented to the City Council.
The City is seeking recommendations to rename the following sites:
- César E. Chávez Park, Drake Chavez Soccer Fields, Drake Chavez Greenbelt, Drake Chavez Connection and César Chávez Observance Day.
- Replacement of César Chávez in the Peacemakers’ Mural.
Chávez Elementary School, a Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD) asset, will be renamed through a separate process conducted by LBUSD in partnership with the Office of Equity.
Community members can participate in one of the following upcoming sessions:
Virtual Community Session, Thursday, Nov. 5 at 5:30 p.m.
- Participants are encouraged to RSVP for the virtual session.
César Chávez Park Community Session, Saturday, Nov. 7 at 10 a.m.
- Jenny Oropeza Community Center at César Chávez Park (401 Golden Ave., 90802)
Houghton Park Community Session, Wednesday, Nov. 18 at 7:30 p.m.
- Doris Topsy-Elvord Community Center at Houghton Park (6301 Myrtle Ave., 90805)
All sessions are free and open to the community. Light refreshments and children’s activities will also be offered at the in-person community sessions.
Community members who are unable to attend a session will also have an opportunity to provide feedback through a community survey, available in English, Spanish, Khmer and Tagalog. If you are unable to access a computer or smart phone, you are also welcome to visit a public computer lab available at any open Long Beach Public Library location to access the survey.
