Long Beach Real Estate-Long Beach Condos

Owners of Long Beach Homes have a unique opportunity to contribute to the environment, go green and conserve water. 

Did you know that most homeowners over water their lawns by 30% to 300%?  That's a whole lotta wasted water folks!  I have to admit, I've been guilty of doing this myself on occasion, it's just so nice to have a lush, green lawn and it shows a real pride in Long Beach home ownership.  With the economy in shambles and water in short supply and sporting a hefty price tag, now is a good time to think of creative ways to both conserve water and money in our Long Beach Homes. 

Ric Romero of ABC Eyewitness News reports: Rob Patten of Agoura Hills lives on 3/4 of an acre.  His water bills have been coming in at over $300 monthly, a staggering number which made him decide to do something about it. After installing a new gadget called Cyber-Rain he has been able to reduce his monthly bill by about $100 and conserve a fair amount of water at the same time.  See How it Works.

Cyber Rain XCI is an 8 zone sprinkler system which claims to save homeowners 30% to 70% on their watering bills through the use of their PC and automatic weather updates from the Internet by automatically adjusting the amount of water usage based on weather and seasonal conditions.  It even provides the ability to check your water usage on your computer.  Ingenious!

Jonathan Neidnagel, CEO of Cyber-Rain claims that this system can pay for itself in 3 or 4 months.  Priced at about $295 this is not a cheap system, but may very well offer the best return on the investment and is a wonderful green contribution to the environment. Read more about this product and the effect it can have on our Southern California community over at the Cyber-Rain blog. 

A big thanks to my friend Joe over at the Sellsius Blog for finding this great gadget. 

Many homes in Long Beach have built-in pools (compared to the Colorado Springs Real Estate market where pools are a scarcity) - and along with all the fun and relaxation that pools can create, there is a definite level of safety precautions involved.

Here are some safety tips for living in a Long Beach CA home with a pool:

• Know how to swim. Make sure everyone IN and AROUND knows how to swim.
• Keep a charged, wireless phone near the pool at all times, in case you need to call 9-1-1

• Make sure that at least one person in/around the pool knows CPR.
• Keep safety equipment around the pool in case of an emergency.
• Do not mix swimming and drinking alcohol. A loss of judgment could mean the difference between life and death around a pool.
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Pool Safety and Children:

• Never leave children unattended around a pool. Even children who "know how to swim" can be in danger without a responsible and attentive adult around.

• Practice touch supervision with children younger than 5 years. This means that the adult is within an arm's length of the child at all times.

• Install a Pool-Safety fence - at least 4 feet high with a self-closing and self-locking fence, between the house and the pool.

• Do not rely on "toys" as flotation devices. A parent or other guardian is the ONLY way to ensure safety.

• Consider installing a power-safety cover, but not to replace a fence.
• Make sure everyone who watches your kids knows CPR and knows the rules to your pool.
• Do not leave toys around the pool when not in use. This could attract children to the pool when no one is looking.
• If a child is missing, check the pool FIRST. Walk the perimeter of the pool and check around all the edges.
• If possible, do not install a pool in your home until your children are over the age of 5.

Some other Resources for Pool Safety:

• AAP.com
• RedCross.org

Having a pool in your Long Beach CA home is great! Just make sure you enjoy it safely.

Contributed by:  Mariana Wagner - Colorado Springs Real Estate Agent of the Wagner iTeam at Keller Williams Clients' Choice Realty - specializing in Colorado Springs CO Real Estate.

Thank you Mariana!

I remember when I first moved into Long Beach and drove past Colorado Lagoon.  In my own New York way I asked my friend ˜Whats with the swamp?.  It was looking pretty raggy way back then, but as they say, its come a long way baby! Yesterday I was driving by, it was such a pretty day and the park was so peaceful, I pulled over and took a few pictures. 

Colorado Lagoon is comprised of 41.63 acres of wetland and Marine Education Science Center and is located at 5119 E Colorado St.; they can be reached at (562) 570-1720. Colorado Lagoon Park is bounded on the West by Park Ave; on the South by E Appian Way and E Colorado St; on the North by E 6th St. and Recreation Park 9 Hole Golf Course; and on the East by Monrovia Ave, E 4th St, Haines Ave, E Vermont St., and Orlena Ave. 

Drop in at the Education Center from 2 to 5 and discover the featured creature of the day. Then go out and see if you can find where it lives, what it eats, and who it eats it. The Education Center is located on Appian Way, between Park & Colorado 570-1749.

• Map to the Park 
• More information

If you are heading to the Lagoon, pack a picnic lunch and enjoy it in the picnic area. Live in the area?  Push off your kayak for a nice tour of the local canals. 

Weekends the Lagoon is very busy.  Many people come to enjoy the park.  Unfortunately they dont have the love and leave a lot of litter behind.  Please dispose of your trash in the provided recepticals and help us keep our city clean for your next visit. 

The park provides a designated swimming area. 

I wouldnt go in that water.  Nuff said?

The City of Long Beach has put forth major Restoration Efforts and has made Colorado Lagoon a into a beautiful and inviting park area and beach once again.  Ok, so its still a bit of a work in progress, but it sure is getting prettier.  Maybe someday that water will be clean enough to actually swim in¦

Visit:  Friends of Colorado Lagoon

Relocating to Long Beach California-Resource Guide

Parks in Signal Hill

 Calbrisas Park

Location:  This Park was dedicated on January 8, 2005 and is in the center of Las Brisas, a neighborhood that has recently been rejuvenated.

Amenities:  Two playgrounds, a basketball court, three picnic spots complete with tables and barbeques (one handicapped accessible) and an open field area.

 Discovery Well Park

Location:  4.9 acres of park located at Hill Street and Temple Avenue at 2200 Temple.  General theme celebrates the areas oil history and benefits from scenic views.

Amenities:  A playground, two picnic site shelters, a half basketball court, and a community center that can seat 35 for dinner or 50 for a theatrical show.  This park also features decorative stone benches, trails inside the park and several connecting trails to other areas, a public area for art display, an Amphitheater and a Ball Wall.  If you would like to reserve your next event call Community Services at (562) 989-7330.

Hillbrook Park

 Location:  Dedicated on November 15, 1986, this ½ acre park has a soothing pond and cascading stream.  The park is located on Temple Avenue at 1865 Temple and is bordered by Wall Street.  This highly planned park was designed for recreation and enjoys panoramic ocean views.

Amenities:  Area with play equipment, six picnic tables (one covered), four barbeques, a pond and brook.  The park is handicapped accessible, aquatic plants and animals and quiet spaces to relax and take in the warm ocean landscape.

Hilltop Park

Location:  This magnificent 3.2 acre park was dedicated on February 6, 1999 and is located at 2351 Dawson.  Hilltop Park was designed to bring together the oil history of the area and the breathtaking 360 degree sights, by the Long Beach architect, Jon Cicchetti and his team.  The coastline of the Pacific can be viewed starting with Huntington Beach and panning across to the peninsula of Palos Verdes in Long Beach.  Most of the year you can also see the Hollywood sign, downtown Los Angeles, Catalina Island and Santa Monica Mountains.

Amenities:  Four picnic spots (two are covered) and a 1.2 million gallon submerged water reservoir.  Getting married?  You can have your wedding here from dawn to dusk with a permit.  The unique attraction for this park is John Cicchetti´s unique art piece made up of a mist tower and the three walls that are freestanding and have windows which frame the best views from the parks perspective.  The mist tower pays tribute to the early Indians´ smoke signals and the walls frame and explain to visitors the stunning views of Huntington Beach, the Queen Mary in Long Beach and Los Angeles.

Panorama Promenade

 Location:  A walking trail along the area of Signal Hill known as the northern rim that links Discovery Park to Hilltop Park.  The goal of this project was to make sure the gorgeous views are never hidden and to connect the surrounding neighborhoods walk trails.
 
Amenities:  The core is a one mile loop trail, many connecting trails, benches and stone seats, public art sites including six historic interpretive panels, drinking fountains, trash and pet waste locations, handicapped accessibility and exercise stations that provide an enthusiastic workout.

Raymond Arbor Park

Location:  You will walk into serenity when you enter this park located on the Hill.  It was dedicated on March 15, 2003 and is committed to peaceful surroundings.

Amenities:  Playground equipment positioned on a rubberized surface and is handicapped accessible, picnic table, benches, decorative fencing, an arbor and a fountain.  Stop by and benefit from the peacefulness of the surroundings.

 Reservoir Park

Location:  This 2.7 acre park and 4.7 million gallon reservoir is located at 3315 Gundry Avenue.

Amenities:  Children´s play equipment, five picnic tables (uncovered), restrooms, and a large open grassy field.  Jumpers and bouncers are allowed only by permit in the park.  Interested in a permit?  Call (562) 989-7330 for Community Services.

Signal Hill Park

Location:  This diverse 10 acre park is located at 1780 East Hill Street.

Amenities:  Playground, eight picnic tables (four covered), five small shelters, restrooms, two lighted courts for basketball, a ball wall, horseshoe pits, barbeques and an amphitheatre.

Sunset View Park

Location:  The SW corner of Hill Street and Skyline Drive at 2300 Skyline Drive is home to this viewing park.  It was uniquely architected to include a solar calendar.

Amenities:  This Park is especially dramatic at sunset.  There is a beautiful art piece depicting the planets orbiting the sun and a set of columns that work as a solar calendar.  On the days of the Spring and Fall equinox as well as the Summer and Winter solstices the sunset will cast its shadow on the chief column.  Visit the park and experience this spectacular sight.

Temple View Park

Location:  This park and 1.38 million gallon reservoir is located at 2271 Temple Avenue in Signal Hill.

Amenities:  Benches are provided so you can enjoy the impressive south and east views.

Signal Hill, Long Beach California - Area Information

Signal Hill Neighborhoods

Want to Know More?
Are you thinking of buying or selling Signal Hill or Long Beach California Real Estate?  I can help you find your luxury dream home.  Call Laurie Manny today at (562) 212-5420.