Parks in Rancho Peñasquitos

by Scott Peters
November 2005

After my August column in the Corridor News, I received several inquiries regarding park issues in Rancho Peñasquitos and the neighboring communities. I appreciate everyone’s comments and I wanted to take this opportunity to answer some of your questions.

Many people asked for information on the Torrey Del Mar neighborhood park. Torrey Del Mar park was originally planned to open in 2011. However, after I was elected to the City Council in 2001, I realized that the Torrey Del Mar neighborhood needed park space in their community and I vowed to make that happen before 2011. Working in coordination with the area developers, neighbors and City staff, I was able to move up the date of the opening of the park by more than five years.

At this point, the funding is secure and the park design is approved and ready to be built. However, a large portion of the land is currently privately owned. The City Attorney’s office has been working on the land acquisition for over a year. I know this has been frustrating for the community, as it has been for me personally. We explored starting construction of the park on the City owned land first and then building on the privately owned land after acquisition, but it is not feasible because there is no entry point from the privately owned portion of the land.

Fortunately, the City Attorney and City’s Real Estate staff and the individual property owner have recently agreed on a private appraiser. The land valuation should be complete by the middle of November 2005. This valuation will allow the City to proceed with the land transaction. As soon as the City owns the land, I will ensure that the bidding process and the construction of the park begin swiftly. This process is estimated to take approximately twelve months from the date of the land acquisition.

On September 10, we opened the Black Mountain Ranch Community Park. This wonderful community asset is located at the intersection of Carmel Valley Road and Black Mountain Road. The first phase of this 30-acre park includes four lighted baseball fields and a picnic area. The second phase begins 2011 and will include additional soccer fields in the eastern section of the park, basketball courts, restroom, and an additional tot lot. The third phase is scheduled to begin in 2014 and will include a recreational center building and a community pool facility.

In addition to the Black Mountain Ranch park opening, the Rancho Peñasquitos Linear Park, also know as Peñasquitos Town Centre Park, was recently hydroseeded and will reopen in December. The Park and Recreational Board have recently designated this park as a future off-leash dog park. I have opened many dog parks in District One and know how much people and their canine companions enjoy them.

Each new park opening expands the opportunity for our children to play outdoors and enjoy the neighborhoods in which they live. I thank you for your patience and all the support you have given my office to allow us to realize your goals for the community. Please contact me if you have any comments or suggestions at scottpeters@sandiego.gov.