The City of Needles is proud to announce it has received the Helen Putnam Award for Excellence in Public Works, Infrastructure, and Transportation from the League of California Cities for its Bob Belt Beach Park Project. The League presented the award at its Annual Conference on October 9, recognizing the City’s work to transform a neglected riverfront into a safe, accessible, and community-centered public space that now serves as both a public health resource and a source of local pride.
Needles — one of California’s hottest cities — set a national heat record in July 2024 with an average temperature of 103.2 °F, surpassing Phoenix’s mark and underscoring the urgent need for safe, shaded public spaces. That same year, the City secured a $2.2 million grant to redevelop a long-used but unsafe and unsanitary informal riverfront area into what is now Bob Belt Beach Park, named in honor of a longtime community advocate.
Over a four-year, community-driven planning process, the City hosted public workshops, collaborated with local stakeholders, and emphasized equity and environmental design to ensure the new park met residents’ needs. Community input guided key features, including shaded seating, hydration stations, ADA-compliant pathways, improved river access, and clean, modern restrooms.
Since opening, the revitalized park has averaged more than 500 weekly visitors during peak season. Its grand opening celebration drew over 2,000 attendees, and nearby businesses have seen measurable economic benefits — including a 12 percent increase in occupancy at the Hampton Inn & Suites following the park’s debut.
“This project shows what’s possible when the community drives the vision,” said Patrick Martinez, City Manager. “The transformation of Bob Belt Beach Park reflects our commitment to improving quality of life, supporting public health, and creating a shared space where residents and visitors can gather.”
The park has quickly become a hub for civic engagement, recreation, and environmental stewardship, replacing previously hazardous conditions with safe waste disposal, clean restrooms, and shaded gathering areas. It now hosts social gatherings, cultural events, and outdoor recreation that were previously limited by unsafe conditions and extreme summer heat.
The Bob Belt Beach Park Project has also earned multiple honors, including the 2024 American Public Works Association Southern California Chapter Best Project of the Year (Recreation & Athletic Facilities for communities under 50,000 population) and the Clean California Community Designation — the first awarded in San Bernardino County.
By reclaiming and reimagining its riverfront, Needles has created a lasting public space that promotes health, connection, and civic pride — and sets the stage for a stronger, more resilient future.