Sweetwater Park Debuts in Chula Vista: 39 Acres of Trails, Playgrounds, and more
The long-awaited Sweetwater Park is finally open! This is the one a lot of you have been asking about. After years of planning, this beautiful 39-acre recreational space is now welcoming visitors to South San Diego Bay. As the Port of San Diego’s 23rd and largest park, Sweetwater Park offers residents and visitors a unique natural setting with plenty of amenities.
What Makes Sweetwater Park Special
“This is really a special park,” said Port of San Diego Vice Chair Ann Moore at the recent ribbon-cutting ceremony. “It’s an area where people can come, enjoy the quiet, look at the natural resources surrounding it. There’s no other park like that in the bay.”
The park stands out with its focus on natural habitat and passive recreation. Visitors can enjoy:
- 2 miles of walkways and bike paths (triple the previous amount)
- Nature-themed playgrounds with educational displays about local wildlife
- Sand dunes and native plants
- Perfect spots for bird watching and other quiet activities
- Kumeyaay signage throughout the park
Be sure to visit the Port of San Diego’s website for more information on the park.
Art Meets Nature
A highlight of the park is “Rigors of Flight,” a public art installation by Roberto Salas. This impressive 25-foot-tall sculpture of a wishbone pays tribute to the birds that fly through the area, adding cultural significance to the natural beauty. I wish they would add a plaque about the sculpture. Many visitors asked about it when I was at the grand opening.
Part of a Bigger Vision
Sweetwater Park is just one piece of the ambitious 535-acre Chula Vista Bayfront redevelopment plan. This master plan aims to create a world-class destination in South Bay where people can live, work, and play.
The nearby Gaylord Pacific Resort and Convention Center, set to open on May 15, represents a major $1.35 billion investment in the area. The resort will feature:
- 1,600 rooms
- A convention center with four ballrooms
- Three levels of meeting space
- Two outdoor event lawns
- Multiple restaurants and recreational facilities
Economic Growth for the Community
“It is going to bring people in throughout the country to be able to spend their money, so we can invest in infrastructure and improve our city,” explains Chula Vista Mayor John McCann.
The Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center is expected to create more than 4,000 permanent jobs and potentially expand the local economy by as much as $500 million each year by boosting tourism in South Bay.
A Community Asset Already in Use
Within hours of its opening, Sweetwater Park was already filled with families enjoying its many features. The $20 million investment (partially funded by the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Program through the National Park Service and the California Department of Parks and Recreation) has clearly struck a chord with locals.
Visit Sweetwater Park Today!
Head down to South San Diego Bay to experience this beautiful new space for yourself. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful nature walk, a family playground outing, or simply a place to connect with the natural environment, Sweetwater Park offers something for everyone.
Share your Sweetwater Park experiences on our Facebook page! We’d love to see your photos and hear about your visits. Keep following our blog for more updates on the exciting developments happening along Chula Vista’s Bayfront.
