César Chávez Park, often overshadowed by more popular waterfront parks in San Diego County, was the center of attention during the Port of San Diego’s special event called “A Day at the Park” on Saturday.
The event aimed to promote community engagement and highlight the park’s unique offerings, featuring multi-cultural performances, free food, and resources available to local residents.
According to the Port of San Diego, the initiative is part of a broader strategy to activate under-utilized green spaces and bring attention to parks like César Chávez, which boasts scenic views of the San Diego Bay and the San Diego-Coronado Bridge.
Park officials had set up a booth to gather community feedback regarding potential improvements, acknowledging the park’s location amidst industrial surroundings that have long posed air quality challenges.
Olympia Beltrán, a resident of Logan Heights and a supporter of the Native American performers, emphasized the importance of these green spaces, stating, “As you can see, this park is juxtaposed to shipyards and distribution industries, so activating green spaces is not only a priority for our mental health but also our physical well-being.”
Beltrán highlighted the achievements of the community in advocating for the park, stressing the need for continued investment from elected officials.
The Port of San Diego is planning future enhancements, keeping community input at the forefront of these developments. Larry Hofreiter, the port’s Parks and Recreation Director, mentioned that while Pepper Park in National City is currently undergoing renovations—including the addition of a splash zone—the Day at the Park series is focused specifically on fostering community engagement within neighborhoods.
“We found that there are a lot of special events that come to San Diego but they tend to focus on the bigger parks in San Diego because of infrastructure and hotels,” Hofreiter said. “So we also want to make sure nearby residents can enjoy their parks in their communities and that there are events to bring their community together.”
Despite less attendance this year, attributed to inclement weather, Port staff estimated around 750 people came out to enjoy the festivities. Luis Lechuga, a 34-year-old resident from Barrio Logan, attended the event with his family, expressing the importance of community activities.
“We come out here for all the entertainment, games for the little ones, free food. This is all about community,” Lechuga stated.
During his discussions with port representatives, Lechuga suggested improvements like more family-friendly amenities, including additional seating and playground equipment, along with a splash zone for children.
Port Commissioner Danielle Moore, a member of the seven-member board, expressed her enthusiasm for the Tidelands Activation Program, which focuses on promoting lesser-known parks for local community use.
“Through this program, we can open the gates to our parks and transform them into these lively spaces where we have families, neighbors, and visitors all come together to celebrate and create memories within this space,” Moore said in an interview. “It’s an excuse to come together, particularly in spaces where people might not be visiting frequently.”
The event at César Chávez Park marks a continuing effort by the Port of San Diego to enrich the local park landscape, ensuring that residents in surrounding communities have access to enjoyable and well-maintained recreational spaces.
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