The long-awaited groundbreaking for the Collier Park renovation project has been scheduled for Oct. 25, 10:30 a.m., in the park at 4401 Palm Ave.
The renovation, which will take approximately one-year to construct, will include new restrooms, tennis/pickleball courts, a playground, fitness equipment, a nature trail, picnic pavilion, landscaping, improved ADA access, and parking.
At a cost of approximately $4.5 million, the project is being completed with funding that has been allocated from park development fees, Federal Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), the La Mesa Park and Recreation Foundation, CA Department of Parks and Recreation Local Assistance Specified Grant funds, and CA Proposition 68 Land and Water Bond funds.
“The redevelopment of Collier Park is an investment in the City’s future,” said La Mesa Mayor Mark Arapostathis. “This neighborhood park will provide a variety of amenities for gathering, physical activity, and nature exploration.”
A replica of a historic 1915 drinking fountain will also be installed in its original location next to the La Mesa Depot Railroad Museum on Spring Street as part of the project. The Spring House will be protected in place until future funding is available for its rehabilitation.
In anticipation of the new amenities, the playground was removed and restrooms were closed due to inoperability. Courts will remain open until construction begins, which is anticipated to be the first week of November. To view images of the planned improvements and for updates on construction status visit the project website.
The Collier Park Renovation project is the next phase of improvements to La Mesa’s oldest park, which dates back 1915.
The Collier Park Renovations Project Master Plan (2014) provided recommendations for specific improvements to developed areas of the park, as well as concepts for future improvements to undeveloped and underdeveloped portions of the 7.7 acre property. The primary goal of the Master Plan was to provide enhanced recreational amenities and opportunities to encourage more active use of the park by residents of the surrounding neighborhood.
Until the 2017 renovation of the “panhandle” entrance at Palm and Pasadena Avenues, the park had not had any upgrade since the 1990’s, other than resurfacing the 1950’s court to add pickleball lines in 2014.
