Public Invited to Grand Opening of Jenni Rivera Memorial Park on July 2

Mayor Robert Garcia, Councilman Dee Andrews, and the Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine invite residents to the grand opening of Jenni Rivera Memorial Park, on Thursday, July 2, at 10:00 am. The 3-acre park is located at 2001 Walnut Ave. The opening ceremony will include the unveiling of a 125-foot-long mural in tribute of Jenni Rivera’s life and love of her hometown, Long Beach.

“Jenni Rivera was a true Long Beach legend. Her music, and her many philanthropic contributions, touched so many people in our city and around the world,” said Mayor Robert Garcia. “Naming this park after Jenni honors the legacy of one of our city’s most inspiring native daughters.”

Ms. Rivera was a Latin Grammy nominated singer, songwriter, actress, television producer, and entrepreneur. She was named the “Top Latin Artist of 2013” by Billboard Magazine, and her 20 million albums sold made her the highest-earning Banda singer of all time. She and six other people died in a plane crash on December 9, 2012, shortly after performing to a sold-out crowd of 17,000 fans in Monterrey, Mexico. She was 43.

“Jenni was an inspiration to us all. Her star on the Poly Walk of Fame reminds us to keep reaching for our dreams no matter what the circumstances or surroundings may be” said Councilman Dee Andrews. “By honoring Jenni Rivera with a Memorial Park, the City of Long Beach is paying tribute to a great citizen of our City who was a remarkable entertainer, inspirational leader and an amazing ambassador of Long Beach.”

On December 16, 2014, the Long Beach City Council agreed with recommendations from the Parks and Recreation Commission and the Housing and Neighborhoods Committee, and voted unanimously to approve naming the park in honor of Ms. Rivera. Councilman Andrews sponsored the original City Council agenda item, which was co-sponsored by Councilwomen Lena Gonzalez and Suzie Price, and Councilmember Roberto Uranga.

Born and raised in Long Beach, Ms. Rivera was an Alumnus of Long Beach Polytechnic High School (Poly). Councilmember Andrews inducted Rivera into the Poly Walk of Fame on July 26, 2012 for her career achievements and charitable work through the Jenni Rivera Love Foundation. The foundation continues to help the sick, orphans, and single mothers, as well as provide scholarships for students of all nationalities and people who are going through difficult circumstances.

“We are honored and humbled to have a great community asset named after our mother, daughter and sister in the greatest City in the world. Jenni always considered herself a chica from Long Beach with pride, no matter how many millions of albums she sold. She always knew she’d return to her hometown. We are forever grateful,” stated the Rivera Family.

The mural was funded by Jenni Rivera Enterprises, and painted by her son, Trinidad Rivera, along with Sergio Ramirez and Daniel Antelo of Wall Dogs, whose large scale advertisement murals are seen on various skyscrapers across Los Angeles.

Journalist Myrka Dellanos will be the Master of Ceremonies for the event. Dellanos is the television host and contributor for U.S.-based Spanish Language network Estrella TV and its news magazine “En la Mira con Enrique Gratas.”

Jenni Rivera began recording music in 1998. Her tenth studio album, “Jenni” (2008) became her first No. 1 record on the Billboard Top Latin Albums chart in the United States. In 2010, she appeared in and produced the reality TV show “Jenni Rivera Presents: Chiquis & Raq-C.” She also appeared in and produced “I Love Jenni” from 2011 through 2013, as well as “Chiquis ‘n Control” in 2012. Her acting debut was in the film “Filly Brown,” which was released in 2013. Her songs often dealt with issues of domestic violence. As a victim of domestic violence herself, she became a voice and a champion for bringing attention and help to women, children and families across the world. On August 6, 2010, Ms. Rivera was named a spokeswoman for the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and the Los Angeles City Council declared August 6 “Jenni Rivera Day” for her charity work and involvement in the community.