Overview: The new gymnasium at Bordwell Park in Riverside, California, will be named after Adrian Dell Roberts, a longtime youth advocate who has worked for over 30 years to transform the park into a community hub. The city secured $5 million in ARPA funds to move forward with construction, which is expected to be completed in 2026. Roberts has been a passionate advocate for the gym, helping to ensure its success. The community looks forward to the safe space serving future generations of Riverside youth in sports, mentorship, and leadership activities.
Aryana Noroozi
For decades, Eastside Riverside residents have pushed for a gymnasium at Bordwell Park. Now, as construction begins, the City of Riverside is placing a familiar name on the door. The gymnasium will be named in honor of longtime youth advocate, Adrian Dell Roberts.
Until now, Bordwell Park remained the only Riverside city park without a gymnasium. Funding that was previously set aside for building one was reallocated to building the Fuentes Centro de Ninos Preschool on the same campus. In 2023, the city secured $5 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to move forward with the construction of the gymnasium.
At the front of this fight was Roberts.
Each time the community felt the gym was just within reach—it was pulled away, Roberts, however, continued to organize and advocate. Now underway, with ground breaking in August and construction starting at the end of 2025, it is anticipated the project will be completed in the winter of 2026.
Roberts began to make his mark on the Riverside Parks and Recreation Department in the 1960’s as a lifeguard and weight trainer. At Poly High School, he founded the Black Student Union and the Multicultural Council. He went on to become the Special Assistant to the Principal, overseeing discipline and student engagement. Later, in 1989, Roberts led district-wide discipline and security for Riverside Unified School District.
Roberts retired in 2003 but continues his community advocacy.
For over 30 years, he worked to transform Bordwell into a community park by helping establish its Black History Parade, Snow Day, and Eastside Backpack Giveaway. In addition to his role as President of the Bordwell Park Advisory Group, Roberts also founded the Adrian Dell & Carmen Roberts Foundation. The Foundation supports community opportunities, rewards academic achievement with scholarships and encourages youth to give back to the community. The gym serves not only as a community space but also as a physical expression of Robert’s lifetime of investing in community youth.
Under city policy, parks and facilities can only be named after an outstanding, long-time city leader; a person of national or historic significance who supported open space and recreation; or someone who made a significant contribution to acquiring or developing a specific site.
In January, the Bordwell Park Advisory Group took up the proposal to name the new gym after Roberts. One member, Mary Welch, reported unanimous support and no objections. Welch noted that this proposal received backing from small business owners, pastors, community members, City Council representatives, Parks and Recreation Commission members, car clubs, nonprofits and health organizations, among others.
“Dell has spent his life creating programs and opportunities that empower young people. For over thirty years, he has transformed Bordwell Park into a vibrant community hub, establishing events like the Black History Parade, Snow Day, and the Eastside Backpack Giveaway, fostering pride and unity,” Pamela Galera, director of Riverside Parks, Recreation, and Community Services wrote via email. “As President of the Bordwell Park Advisory Group, he is a passionate advocate for the new gym, helping ensure the project’s success.”
In August, the Parks and Recreation Commission voted unanimously to support naming the gym after Roberts. The Safety, Wellness and Youth Committee followed in October with a unanimous recommendation that the City Council do the same. On Nov. 18, 2025, a staff report to the council formally recommended approving the “Dell Roberts Gymnasium” name.
The community looks forward to this safe space to serve future generations of Riverside youth as they engage in sports, mentorship, and leadership activities.
Roberts explained that at first he didn’t want the gymnasium named after him but that he didn’t win that battle. “I’m humbled by it. I think it’s great,” he said today. “[It’s] something to leave behind.”