Bellflower city feature
About this landmark
A park with roots in the city's early civic expansion.
John S. Simms Park is located at 16614 South Clark Avenue. The park was originally known as Bellflower Park and was purchased in 1942. It remained under Los Angeles County operation until it was transferred to the city in 1959. The park was renamed in 1946 to honor one of Bellflower's pioneer physicians and civic leaders. The park has served the community for decades as a central recreation hub.
Recreation facilities and community use
Current facilities include an auditorium with kitchen, multi-purpose rooms, picnic shelter, and sports fields. The park's rentable auditorium and kitchen measure 54 feet by 90 feet and can hold up to 300 people. An outdoor patio measuring 40 feet by 46 feet accommodates 200 people. Rooms 3 and 4 measure 39 feet by 40 feet and hold 70 people, while Room 6 measures 25 feet by 26 feet and accommodates 45 people. The park also features a basketball court, children's playground, fitness center with exercise equipment, and a walking trail. The facility is available for private events, community gatherings, and group activities.
The park is currently undergoing a major capital improvement. As of the most recent update, the park is not renting facilities because of construction work. The project is the "Simms Park Stormwater Capture Project," which integrates underground stormwater infrastructure into the park. The project replaces existing natural turf sports fields with synthetic turf and reconfigured fields.
Stormwater management and infrastructure
The scope also includes replacing outdated sports lighting, adding new perimeter security fencing, and adding California native-plant gardens. The project's stormwater drainage area is 75 acres, entirely within Bellflower, and the site is positioned near an adjacent storm drain channel, which gives it significant water-quality benefits for the watershed. It is funded by Safe, Clean Water Program.
The stormwater capture system represents a modern approach to water management in urban parks. The project integrates infrastructure that was not visible or accessible during the park's original decades of operation. The underground system captures and manages stormwater runoff, reducing pressure on existing drainage channels. By incorporating native plants alongside recreational improvements, the project serves both flood mitigation and habitat conservation goals. The scope of the project reflects the city's commitment to updating aging park infrastructure while addressing contemporary stormwater challenges.
Insurance connection: Flood and water damage protection
Standard homeowners and commercial insurance policies typically exclude flood and similar water damage. Flood coverage is generally obtained through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), established by Congress in 1968, available in participating communities via licensed agents or private companies. A new flood policy typically has a 30-day waiting period before it takes effect, though federally regulated mortgage lenders can require immediate coverage on high-risk properties. NFIP coverage applies to water-driven flooding specifically and excludes losses from earthquakes, landslides, and subsidence. Eligibility and specific coverage limits depend on the individual policy. The issued policy controls.
Primary sources: The official park page and the project designer's stormwater capture project page.
Insurance context is general information only. The issued policy and its endorsements settle coverage.