Obama Boulevard unveiled in Los Angeles in honour of former president

'This will serve as a physical reminder that no goal is out of reach and that no dream is too big,' says Los Angeles City Council president

Los Angeles City Council President says the spot is geographically significant due to being located near the site of one of the 44th US president’s campaign rallies in 2007 days after announcing his run for the White House (AP)

A stretch of a road in Los Angeles has been “Obama Boulevard” in honour of the former American president.

City officials revealed a 5.5 mile stretch of Rodeo Boulevard had been renamed after Barack Obama. Thousands descended on the area for the ceremony.

The spot was geographically significant due to being located near the site of one of the 44th US president’s campaign rallies in 2007 days after announcing his run for the White House, said city council president Herb Wesson.

“With this change, we are publicly documenting what Obama’s legacy as our nation’s first black president means to our city and our South Los Angeles community,” he said.

He added: “For every child who will drive down this street and see the president’s name, this will serve as a physical reminder that no goal is out of reach and that no dream is too big”.

Mr Wesson said the Rancho Cienega Sports Complex would be renamed the Michelle and Barack Obama Sports Complex after a multimillion-dollar expansion of the recreational area has been completed.

Thousands of people attended the road naming ceremony at the intersection with Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard in one of Los Angeles’ historic black areas.

The festival, which marked the life and legacy of Mr Obama, included a concert and a series of speeches by local high profile figures. Michael Lawson, president and chief executive of the LA Urban League, read a letter from the former president.

“To everyone gathered on King Boulevard, 12 years ago we met in this park,” it said.

“While Michelle, Malia, Sasha and I are so humbled by this day, we’re still mindful that this is not about us. This is about this neighbourhood’s next generation and all we want for them. We hope they look at the new street signs and find inspiration in all that a group of committed citizens can achieve together.”

The road intersects with other another street named after Dr Martin Luther King Jr and the city’s “Presidential Row” of streets named after former presidents that includes Washington, Adams and Jefferson boulevards.

The newly rechristened street joins several public spaces in California that honour Obama – including a part of the 134 Freeway, several schools and a road in the Monterey Bay town of Seaside.