San Ysidro's decades-long wait is over as Mayor Todd Gloria, alongside federal, state, and local officials, kicked off construction for the new Beyer Park. The groundbreaking marks the start of a transformative project for an 8-acre park within a 43-acre stretch of undeveloped land. "No community is complete without abundant parks," Mayor Gloria told the City of San Diego's news blog. Plans for the park have been on the drawing board since a 1974 community plan was inked, but now the $22.4 million project, bolstered by various funding sources, including the mayor's Parks for All of Us initiative, is finally moving from paper to earth.

Joined at the event by Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-52), whose efforts helped secure a hefty federal funding portion for the park, Mayor Gloria celebrated the collaborative push that made the Beyer Park project feasible. The park promises to deliver various amenities designed to cater to all ages and interests, from playgrounds to walking trails. "From nonprofit organizations to the community to officials at every level of government, so many came together with one common goal – to turn the vision for this much-needed park into a reality," Vargas said, per the city's press release. With its eye on fostering recreation and cultural interest, Beyer Park is also setting up a hub for environmental advocacy, thanks to “Air Sanctuary,” a public art installation by artists Ingram Ober and Marisol Rendón.

The City of San Diego's press release unveiled that the artwork, comprised of an ironwood tree within a sculptural enclosure, aims to stir climate action inspiration among park-goers. "Visitors to the park will be able to watch the tree grow and change with the seasons, with the hope that people will feel a sense of connection to the tree that might inspire future climate activism," stated the release. Echoing the enthusiasm for green spaces and community benefit, District 8 Councilmember Vivian Moreno cited the decades-long struggle to realize Beyer Park, marking it as a testament to the community's perseverance and youth advocacy.

In financial color, Beyer Park's construction is fed by a cocktail of funding, comprising a million-dollar slice from Citywide Park Development Impact Fee (DIF) funds, $2.5 million from Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds in 2023, and hefty $8.5 million from California’s Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Grant Program. On a federal level, the park has snagged an additional $8 million, courtesy of the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership program and federal community project funds, as reported by Hoodline.