Parks, Trails, Green Spaces
Parks, Trails and Green Spaces are critical for good health and an effective way to combat climate change in our most impacted communities.
To address the inequitable access to parks, trails and green spaces in the Chollas Creek Watershed communities, Groundwork is leading capital improvement projects and community programs to address these needs.
Projects are focused on creating new parks and green spaces to improive tree canopy coverage, improve air quality, flooding,
and provide recreational opportunities for these park-deficient communities. Trails and bike paths provide community connectivity and clean mobility opportunities to realize the dream of a creek-to-bay trail.
Groundwork supports the many dedicated community leaders who are leading these changes.At Gomper’s Park, for example, students and families secured a commitment for the the City of San Diego Park and Recreation Department to construct a long-awaited dog park and significant additional amenities.
Restore Creek
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Park
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Trails
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Restore Creek • Park • Trails •
Federal Blvd Creek De-channelization, Trail, Urban Canopy Project
Project Construction starts 2024
The project will install 200 trees, reduce high volume surface run-off and eliminate flooding, capture and improve surface water quality , and create a critical trail link to San Diego Bay as a part of the emerging Chollas Creek Watershed Regional Park.
It is funded by the California Natural Resources Agency, the California Wildlife Conservation Board, and the Integrated Regional Water Program.
Creek Protection
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Park
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Trails
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Creek Protection • Park • Trails •
Federal Blvd Pocket Park
This new climate-ready pocket park serving eastern Chollas Creek youth and families will be located on the corner of Federal Blvd. and Home Ave. The park is part of a larger project on Federal Blvd to control flooding, improve creek water quality, combat heat, and create a tree-lined bike/pedestrian trail.
The community-designed mini-park will feature permeable walking surfaces, bioswales for treating urban run-off, a plaza area with picnic tables for community gatherings, along with natural play structures and a fitness area. The landscape will be planted with oak and sycamore trees and other native plantings.
Connecting Communities
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Clean Mobility
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Connecting Communities • Clean Mobility •
Chollas Creek to Bay Multi-Use Path
Design Phase Completed • Transitioning to Construction
This project will serve two of the lowest income neighborhoods in the San Diego region by improving active transportation mobility with a new path connection where two interstate freeways (I-5 and I-15) currently inhibit access by community members to key regional resources.
Groundwork has completed the design of a critical segment of the Chollas Creek multi-use trail path.
This project is now transitioning to construction. Once completed, a safe means of non-motorized travel will be available to Southeastern San Diego residents providing access to the Blue Trolley line and important destinations, such as the San Diego Bay, Downtown San Diego, Chollas Creek, and the Bayshore Bikeway.
Rain Capture
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Waterwise Garden
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Protecting Creek
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Rain Capture • Waterwise Garden • Protecting Creek •
Webster Community Garden Demonstration Project
Five homes received a water capture garden makeover which included a 200 gallon rainwater tank and gutter system to capture water, rain garden area to retain water on the property, and waterwise plants and drip irrigation to minimize landscape water use. Project best practices and rebate challenges for low-income communities were shared with City of San Diego Stormwater officials.
Read the San Diego Foundation, Climate and Water Resilience Grant Program Final Grant Project Report
Educate
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Connect
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Inspire
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Educate • Connect • Inspire •
EarthLab Climate Action Park Project
EarthLab is a 4-acre educational outdoor public space dedicated to experiential environmental learning. Project-based STEM climate science and social-emotional curriculum are woven into the school-day, extended learning, summer, and field trip educational programs. More than 1,500 students participate in a learning activity at EarthLab annually.
Situated at the intersection of Euclid Ave and SR 94, the EarthLab is being designed as a Climate Action Park. Working with partners that include the UC San Diego Center on Global Justice, Scripps Heat Hub, San Diego Botanical Garden, and other partners, this space will soon provide local and regional youth and families with access to cutting edge sustainable energy, food, and green infrastructure strategies and career pathway opportunities.