Downtown San Diego is set to usher in a new era of outdoor recreation with the forthcoming East Village Green park. Civic San Diego has joined forces with the City in a collaborative effort to push construction efforts forward, aiming for a grand opening by year's end. The park is designed to beckon residents and visitors alike to enjoy the urban core with ample space for relaxation and entertainment. According to an article on Inside San Diego, Parks and Recreation Department Director Andy Field said, "East Village Green will provide a place to get outdoors, participate in a variety of special events, exercise, play and gather with a host of amenities."
Spanning 2.1 acres between 13th, F, 14th, and G streets, the park will host many attractions, including a two-story community center, a sprawling green lawn, and a kid-friendly area with an interactive water feature. Going further to truly engage the community, a game and reading zone, and staffer-manned public restrooms are part of the detailed blueprint. Not to be sidelined, pet owners can rejoice over adding a dedicated off-leash dog park strategically located for both small and large dogs at the northeast corner of 14th and G streets. An adjacent section is allotted for relocating two historic buildings, ensuring a nod to the city's storied past amidst modern development.
Crews are feverishly working to finalize a new 185-space parking garage, adding to the park's convenient access for future visitors. In preparation to manage this addition, the City is actively seeking proposals from contractors to oversee this facility. As indicated by Inside San Diego, prospects have until March 31 to submit their proposals via the PlanetBids platform. The garage, which features two underground levels, accommodates diverse parking needs, including daytime park-goers and evening event attendees.
Not everyone may understand the intrinsic value of a park, but ask Economic Development Director Christina Bibler, and she'll quickly point to the multi-layered benefits of such spaces. "Parks like East Village Green not only provide community members a destination to connect and play, but they are essential for a downtown economy and revitalization effort," Bibler told Inside San Diego. She highlights their role in fostering a community identity, bolstering civic pride, and lifting the surrounding neighborhood's economic stature.
With an eye toward sustainability and community engagement, a significant focus has been placed on extending the 14th Street Greenway through the park. This green artery will eventually stretch across 11 city blocks, weaving together passive and active recreational spaces, children's discovery zones, local art venues, and various play areas. Sections of the Greenway have already been unveiled, showcasing historical elements amidst fresh plantings, setting a precedent for what East Village Green is primed to offer to the heart of San Diego. Development Services Department Deputy Director and Urban Innovation Division leader Brian Schoenfisch said via Inside San Diego, "East Village Green embodies our vision of Downtown Parks and Public Spaces in San Diego.”
The park's funding streams from a mix of downtown-specific sources and a San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) grant. Years of anticipation have built up around this project since its conception in 2004 and subsequent City Council approval in 2015.
