The Central Facilities Center at Martin Luther King Jr. Park in Long Beach will soon have a new name, the “Dale E. Clinton Resource Center,” to honor the longtime community volunteer, civil rights leader and social justice advocate whose work has had a lasting impact on the city.
The City Council approved the renaming of the building earlier this month. The renaming will honor Dale Clinton, who is a cherished member of the community, and it will recognize her lasting impact in Long Beach and nationwide, city officials said.
“This effort started with the community – residents, leaders and advocates made it clear that they wanted to see Ms. Dale E. Clinton’s legacy recognized in a permanent and meaningful way,” Sixth District Councilmember Suely Saro said in a statement. “Ms. Clinton’s impact on Long Beach is profound, from her leadership in civil rights and community advocacy to her direct role in shaping this very facility. Her work has touched generations, naming this resource center in her honor ensures that her legacy is remembered and, most importantly, continues to inspire everyone who walks through those doors.”
Longtime community volunteer and social justice advocate Dale E. Clinton at served as one of the grand marshals for Long Beach’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Parade on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Clinton was born in 1927 in Tupelo, Mississippi, and grew up during an era of deep racial inequity and limited economic opportunity. In 1957, she moved her family to Long Beach, and soon after, she became actively involved in community organizing and anti-poverty efforts, according to the staff report. She quickly emerged as a trusted community leader during the early years of the federal “War on Poverty.”
Her leadership was also foundational to the progress Long Beach has seen, including her work with former Rep. Alan Lowenthal to solve racial tension in the education system at Poly High School in the 1960s.
Clinton’s advocacy led to extensive work in human relations, civil rights education and community development, according to the staff report. In Long Beach, she worked closely with community organizations, faith leaders and city departments to address welfare rights, fair housing, racial equality, youth development and economic opportunity.
Now 98, she is widely regarded as one of the respected “Mothers” of the Black community in Long Beach, and has mentored generations of civic and community leaders.
“On behalf of my mother, Dale Clinton, I am here to give thanks,” Charles Clinton, her son, said during the meeting. “Thank you for the significant acknowledgement of renaming the Central Facilities Center at King Park, that we all have visited and used since 1974, in her honor and she will be at the naming recognition celebration whenever we do that.”
Saro brought forward the request to rename the facilities center at Martin Luther King Jr. Park after Clinton in February, which the council supported. The request for the name designation went to the Parks and Recreation Commission and the Government Operations and Efficiency Committee. The committee approved the renaming during its April 21 meeting.
The City Council approved the renaming with an 8-0 vote on May 5. With the renaming will come updated signage, as well as a photo and a biography inside the building to connect Clinton’s legacy to the facility.
The council also approved renaming Los Altos Plaza Park to “Park Estates Community Park.” This request was made by Fourth District Councilmember Daryl Supernaw in March, in an effort to provide clarity and address public safety concerns with identifying the park.
Los Altos Plaza Park, 5230 E. Anaheim Road, is a 0.71-acre park in the heart of the Park Estates neighborhood in East Long Beach. Los Altos Park, along Stearns Street, is fewer than 3 miles away.
Due to the similarities in name and geographical location, there have been instances where police response has been dispatched to the incorrect location, maintenance staff have been unable to identify Los Altos Plaza Park, and overall neighborhood confusion has caused difficulties in allocating appropriate resources to this park, according to a staff report.
A name change to “Park Estates Community Park” would best reidentify this park, Supernaw said, with the name of the neighborhood it is located in. The City Council approved this renaming as well, with an 8-0 vote.