Port of San Diego approves Harbor Park Coastal Development Permit
As part of the transformation of the Chula Vista waterfront on San Diego Bay, the Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners has approved a Coastal Development Permit (CDP) for the future Harbor Park. Planned for the central portion of the Chula Vista waterfront as an expansion and improvement of the current Bayside Park, Harbor Park will provide signature amenities and recreational opportunities.
“With a bigger and better beach, sunset terraces, added recreational offerings, and more, Harbor Park is really where we envision visitors and Chula Vista residents spending a lot of their time on the Chula Vista Bayfront,” said Chair Ann Moore, Chula Vista’s representative on the Board of Port Commissioners. “Harbor Park, along with the future Sweetwater Park and other public amenities, will give us the enhanced shoreline recreation and active commercial harbor we’ve been wanting in the South Bay.”
To be developed in phases, the first phase will focus on the northwest shoreline improvements including:
- Enlarged and improved beach
- Waterside terraced headlands surrounding the beach that offer seating, relaxing, and sunset views
- Pocket marsh with salt marsh plantings
- Portion of the waterfront promenade
- Streetscape event plaza near the H Street roundabout
- A boat launch at the north end for personal watercraft such as kayaks and paddleboards
- North and south meadows with paths and picnic tables
- Formal, multi-use lawns and large public gathering areas at the north and south ends
- North promontory providing dramatic views across the bay to the west to downtown San Diego and the Coronado Bridge to the north. It will include a small, single-story modular support building with restrooms, outdoor showers, drinking fountains, and park equipment rentals
- Pedestrian and bicycle improvements
- Parking and vehicular circulation improvements (including a connector path to Sweetwater Park and a temporary access drive off H Street to connect to the portion of the existing Bayside Park that will remain in Phase 1A)
- Landscaping/planting improvements
- Park lighting, furnishings, and signage
- Public art
- Improvements to address sea level rise
Future improvements are contingent upon availability of funding to construct each additional component of the park and include:
- Remaining portion of the waterfront promenade
- Beach lawn
- Interactive fountain
- Children and family play area
- Hill
- Picnic grove
- North and south parking lots
- Café and beach rental building (including restrooms) at the north end
- Park hub with refreshment stand at the south end
- Family restrooms
- North and south lawn event lighting
- H Street Pier (first half) offering additional bay and skyline viewing
- Potential additional improvements to pedestrian and vehicular circulation
- Additional park furnishings, signage, public art, landscaping and plantings, utilities and drainage
Harbor Park, along with the previously-approved Sweetwater Park, will account for more than half of the new park space planned for the Chula Vista waterfront. The parks design teams are KTU+A and Petersen Studio who were selected for their extensive urban park and waterfront design expertise – with an emphasis on local landscape architecture and natural resource management experience. The Port, along with the City of Chula Vista, in partnership with the design teams, conducted a three-part public outreach process through which the community members shared their vision for these important park spaces, helping to shape the future of the Chula Vista waterfront.
Anticipated financing for the Gaylord Pacific Resort and Convention Center will include funding to complete the design for and construct the first phase of Harbor Park. Construction for the first phase is tentatively scheduled to begin in early 2023 and completion is anticipated in early 2024. The goal is to complete the first phase and open Harbor Park before or at the same time as the opening of the Gaylord Pacific Resort and Convention Center, which is currently anticipated to open in mid-2024.
The first phase for Harbor Park has a preliminary budget of $19.5 million. The remaining improvements have an estimated budget of $28.0 million for a total estimated budget of $47.5 million. Currently, a timeline and funding for completion of improvements beyond the first phase have not been identified.
The Chula Vista Bayfront Project, a partnership between the Port of San Diego and the City of Chula Vista, envisions a vibrant, innovative destination in the San Diego region – a unique and welcoming place for people to live, work and play. When the project is complete, the public will enjoy more than 200 acres of parks, a shoreline promenade, walking trails, RV camping, shopping, dining and more. While providing long-awaited, enhanced shoreline recreation and an active commercial harbor in the South Bay, the Chula Vista Bayfront project will also establish ecological buffers to protect wildlife habitat, species and other coastal resources.
The Board approved a CDP for Sweetwater Park in April 2020. Planned for the northern portion of the Chula Vista Bayfront near E Street and Bay Boulevard, Sweetwater Park is envisioned as a meadow-type open space that would showcase the unique natural assets of San Diego Bay, encouraging passive recreation to complement the adjacent Sweetwater Marsh National Wildlife Refuge. Proposed features include:
- Meadows and specialty gardens
- Mounded grasslands
- Nature playground
- Picnic area
- Various pedestrian and bicycle paths – some with paved and others with softer surfaces
- Sand dunes
- Multiple overlooks for bayfront viewing
- Native plant species
These features are in addition to the $5.63 million for the Sweetwater Bicycle Path and Pedestrian Promenade, which will wind through Sweetwater Park. The pathway, which is primarily funded via a $4.8 million Urban Greening Grant from the California Natural Resources Agency, went through a separate design process and construction started in fall 2019. Sweetwater Path is anticipated to open to the public in late December. Construction on the rest of the park is scheduled to begin around the same time as Harbor Park in early 2023, with completion anticipated in early 2024. Sweetwater Park is required to be completed prior to a Certificate of Occupancy is issued for Gaylord Pacific.
For more information or to sign up for updates, visit portofsandiego.org/chulavistabayfront.
ABOUT THE PORT OF SAN DIEGO
The Port of San Diego serves the people of California as a specially created district, balancing multiple uses on 34 miles along San Diego Bay spanning five cities. Collecting no tax dollars, the Port manages a diverse portfolio to generate revenues that support vital public services and amenities.
The Port champions Maritime, Waterfront Development, Public Safety, Experiences and Environment, all focused on enriching the relationship people and businesses have with our dynamic waterfront. From cargo and cruise terminals to hotels and restaurants, from marinas to museums, from 22 public parks to countless events, the Port contributes to the region’s prosperity and remarkable way of life on a daily basis.
ABOUT PORT OF SAN DIEGO WATERFRONT DEVELOPMENT
Port of San Diego Waterfront Development contributes to the continuous prosperity of the local economy.
From Real Estate to Aquaculture and Blue Tech, the Port invests in major redevelopment and community infrastructure, so businesses in our region have the opportunity to stay competitive in the global marketplace.