If you find yourself asking what does the RPNA do anyway? Where do the membership dues go? Who are these people? Then this article is for you.
Your neighborhood association, RPNA was formed to represent the neighborhood to improve our area, voice our concerns and gather residents together in this effort.
The city of Long Beach offers residents many ways to interact with them on an individual level and the RPNA encourages this, but it doesn't fit everyone.
The RPNA board are all volunteers. Our dedication is to the neighborhood for its improvement and notariety. With changes that are happening with regard to retail stores, we are as disappointed as you are. Unfortunately we do not have control over every issue, such as permits issued, but we can voice our desires and demands and make some changes.
I think that everyone will agree that a large group of people hold more weight in an argument than one. There are 22,000 people in Rose Park. The newsletter and Facebook page reach a fraction of them but certainly not all. A large portion of the membership dues goes toward reaching all residents of Rose Park. Community events, park events and written material are used in this way.
The RPNA is always looking for volunteers. Anyone that can spare even a short amount of time to distribute information, show up at an event to help or participate in the planning and give the board new ideas for helping the neighborhood.
Here is a list of what your association has done in 2012. As always your comments are welcome. We are again asking for input and membership to show your support.
2 Low Cost Pet Clinics arranged & managed in the park
History project identifying our heritage and compiling census data
-facilitated by a Naval Heritage Grant written and applied for by RPNA
Motion to have Verizon cables cleaned up
-Petition started for residents to voice their demand for maintenance or removal, motion to city council to address this issue
Bluegrass festival
-Free neighborhood event in the park
Support for Luther Burbank garden and Halloween event
Over 300 responses to requests for assistance from RP residents
Tree planting
-86 new trees planted
Real estate seminar to inform realtors on historic district requirements
Community Meeting in the park for local authors
Attendance at LB heritage meetings
-support for continued designation & ensuring Rose Park's involvement in new projects
Security lighting package
-facilitating the purchase of exterior lighting to reduce crime
Attendance at LBPD meetings
- voicing our concerns and bringing new information to the neighborhood
Over 100 golongbeach graffiti removal & repair requests
City council meeting representation
Tree well survey submittal
-Tree wells from Redondo to Cherry were documented and designated for replanting
Committee for big saver façade
-active participation in meetings to encourage redevelopment of this property
Committee for street pavers
-requested and received the inclusion of stamped concrete pavers as 7th st was repaved
Treescape planting on 4th
-obtained plant donation and organized volunteer labor
100 year old house recognition
-compiled data on building dates, designed & distributed birthday signs
Historic home brochure distributed to all residents
-informed historic home owners of their responsibilities
Community mixer at Rivera's
-encouraging community involvement & pride
Sharing network seminar
- Current ways Long Beach residents exchange things, time, and skills
7th st banners
-facilitated by an NPP grant written and applied for by RPNA as a neighborhood identifier
Youth mentoring program
-support for after school program at Burbank Elementary
Pencil donation to afterschool program
Website for assistance with city services and neighborhood information
-maintenance and posting of events and information
Monthly + Newsletter
E 7th St survey and food survey
-proposal to the owner of Big Saver to adjust his product selection
Participated in E7 Design Criteria guideline to the city planning department
-coordination and attendance of meetings for the development of E 7th St
Snow Day in the park
Tree lighting in the park
-Installation of a holiday tree, organization of volunteers to maintain the tree
For more information on the RPNA Board, visit rpna.org page "Your Association"