Civita Park Set to Open April 29th
SAN DIEGO – Sudberry Properties announces the opening of Civita Park on April 29, the recreational centerpiece of Civita and the largest city park in Mission Valley. The 14.3-acre, multi-level park, which cascades down the center of the former quarry site, is located on Civita Boulevard at Russell Parkway. The new park is the centerpiece of the community’s network of parks, open space and trails that encompasses nearly one-third of the community. “We’re delighted to unveil the first phases of Civita Park, which has been in the planning and construction stages for over a decade,” said Marco Sessa, senior vice president of Sudberry Properties, master developer of the 230-acre urban village of Civita. “The development of Civita Park has been a huge cooperative effort with major contributions by the City of San Diego Parks & Recreation Department, the Public Works Department, Engineering Section, Schmidt Design Group, Hazard Construction Company, Rick Engineering and a host of talented subcontractors,” he said. The first two phases of Civita Park encompass more than 10 acres and feature a number of highlights, including:
An outdoor amphitheater with a stage shaded by a dramatic roof structure;
A lighted, recirculating, interactive water feature with 48 jets;
A large plaza, dubbed Celebration Plaza, designed and engineered for farmers’ markets, car shows, and large special events;
Picnic tables and “outdoor living rooms” shaded by dramatic wisteria-covered trellises and game area;
A community garden with 38 plots, including some ADA-compliant raised plots. The entrance to the garden features a mosaic by La Jolla artist Jane Wheeler and a restored 1956 red Porsche tractor;
A dog park with separate enclosures for large and small dogs and exercise stations; Multi-purpose fields for open play, two half basketball courts, five exercise stations and extensive trails and walkways;
A military tribute to the five branches of the military and San Diego’s military history;
A site-specific sculpture project by Encinitas sculptors T.J. Dixon and James Nelson that includes numerous rabbits and other animals lounging around the park; and
Civita Falls, a waterfall that will be fed by runoff from Civita and parts of Serra Mesa, during rainstorms. Civita Falls was designed by the late Hugh Hughes of Outside the Lines (OTL).
“The next phases of the park, which will open in 2018, will include two playgrounds, more fields, a bocce court, the “Mining Relic Terrace” with historic mining equipment and a Caterpillar D8 bulldozer, and three gardens,” said Mark Radelow, vice president for Sudberry Properties. “We’ve done our best to create a park that serves the community with sports and recreation opportunities, and places for quiet relaxation, entertainment, community events, gardening, socializing, and meeting friends. We believe that it will be a major contribution to community life in Civita and throughout Mission Valley,” he said. Civita Park, is owned by the City of San Diego, and maintained by the Civita Maintenance Assessment District. It was developed by Sudberry Properties. # # #