With the goal of enhancing and preserving San Diego’s regional parks for generations to come, Mayor Kevin L. Faulconer was joined on Oct. 31 by Councilmember Lori Zapf and park advocates to announce more than $40 million in infrastructure investments for Mission Bay Park over the next six years for environmental protection and infrastructure projects, including new and improved playgrounds, comfort stations and other public amenities. Projects include:
– Bay dredging – More than $10 million has been spent to restore navigational safety to the bay. Mitigation, which is now complete and in the monitoring phase, was ranked as the top infrastructure priority for Mission Bay Park.
– Parking lots – More than $5 million for parking lot resurfacing at Crown Point North, De Anza North, De Anza South, Dog Beach, North Cove, Old Sea World Drive, Santa Clara, Dusty Rhodes, Hospitality Point, Mission Point, Ocean Beach Dog Beach Walkway, Quivira Road, Playa Pacifica North, Robb Field, Rose Marie Starns South Shores, Sunset Point, Tecolote North and Tecolote South.
– Playgrounds – Nearly $8 million to replace playground equipment at Bonita Cove West, Crown Point, Santa Clara, Tecolote North, Tecolote South, Bonita Cove East, Dusty Rhodes, Mission Point, Playa Pacifica and Robb Field.
– Comfort stations – More than $7 million to replace and upgrade comfort stations at Bonita Cove West, El Carmel, Mission Bay Athletic Area, North Cove, Santa Clara, Tecolote North, Tecolote South, Bonita Cove East, Dusty Rhodes, Hospitality Point, Mission Point, Playa Pacifica, Robb Field, Sunset Point and Ventura.
– Fitness and recreation facilities – More than $3 million to replace and upgrade the adult fitness course on East Mission Bay and the recreation center at Robb Field. “Mission Bay Park is getting the investment of a century with a wave of voter-approved funding,” said Zapf. “From dredging, lighting, comfort stations, bike and walking paths and new playgrounds, Mission Bay Park will better serve San Diegans and visitors.”
The Mission Bay Park Committee advises the Park and Recreation Board on the development and operation of Mission Bay Park. The committee also acts as the Mission Bay Park Improvement Fund Oversight Committee and is responsible for overseeing permanent capital improvements and deferred maintenance of facilities within park boundaries.
“My committee and I were ecstatic that the voters of our city overwhelmingly approved Measure J,” said Mission Bay Park Committee chairman Paul Robinson. “This will permit the City, with our oversight, to continue to invest millions of dollars in Mission Bay.”
Long-term investments also include $7 million for a master environmental report to streamline construction and guide the City on the environmental impacts of proposed projects, including wetland expansion and water quality improvements for Rose Creek, North Fiesta Island, Tecolote Creek and Cudahy Creek. It will also include the restoration of failing shorelines, San Diego River Trail improvements, and the expansion of preserves and habitats for endangered species within the Mission Bay Park Improvement Zone.
“Mission Bay Park is one of San Diego’s most popular destinations to both residents and visitors alike, and we are excited to see the tremendous amount of investment in the upkeep and improvement of the park,” said Herman Parker, director of the City’s Parks and Recreation Department. “The planned upgrades in infrastructure, playgrounds and facilities will ensure one of the nation’s largest water parks continues to be a source of enjoyment today and for future generations.”
In November 2016, voters approved Measure J to extend 2008’s Proposition C – co-authored by then Councilmember Faulconer – to direct a portion of Mission Bay lease revenue toward capital investments in Mission Bay Park and regional parks for an additional 30 years. An estimated $1.5 billion will be generated through 2069.
“Our regional parks are among San Diego’s most valuable assets and the significant investments we’re making to Mission Bay Park will ensure it is preserved and enhanced for future generations to enjoy,” Faulconer said. “This continues the largest park investment effort San Diego has seen in modern history as we’ve opened dozens of new or improved parks in neighborhoods across the city over the past few years.”
Mission Bay Park is the largest aquatic park of its kind in the country, consisting of more than 4,000 acres of parkland and 27 miles of shoreline. About 15 million people visit the park annually.