CONNECT with the CityFAQ: How City Parks Are Designed
The City of San Diego follows a comprehensive and community-driven process to plan and design parks. This FAQ explains how the City gathers input from the community, the key planning documents that guide park development, and the steps involved from concept to construction.
What is the public input process required for park projects?
Council Policy 600-33 outlines the minimum public input process required when a new park is being planned or improvements are proposed at an existing park. It ensures that:
- Community members have a voice in shaping their local parks;
- City standards and environmental conditions are considered;
- Proper permits are determined for construction; and
- Park operations and long-term maintenance are factored into design decisions.
What is the Parks Master Plan, and how does it shape community input?
Adopted in 2021, the Parks Master Plan is the City’s long-term vision for creating and improving parks across all neighborhoods. It’s goals are to:
- Ensure equitable access to quality parks;
- Encourage early and inclusive community engagement; and
- Expand outreach methods for gathering input, including surveys, pop-up events, and partnerships with local organizations.
While the Parks Master Plan sets the citywide vision, Council Policy 600-33 ensures each park project includes a structured, community-driven design process.
Why is public input important in the park design process?
Public input ensures parks reflect the needs and goals of the communities they serve. When residents participate in the planning process, they help shape spaces that are welcoming, functional, and culturally relevant. Community feedback also helps identify local priorities, avoid design conflicts, and build long-term support for park improvements.
Together with Council Policy 600-33 and the Parks Master Plan, public input guides the City in delivering parks that are attuned to the community, inclusive, equitable, and appropriately activated.
What is a General Development Plan (GDP)?
A General Development Plan (GDP) is a long-range conceptual plan created through public input, showing the approximate layout and amenities of a park. The GDP:
- Must be approved before improvements can be made;
- Provides a long-term vision based on community input; and
- Acts as the design foundation for the construction of the park’s improvements.
The GDP process is the primary opportunity for community members to help shape the future of their parks. With few exceptions, any amenity or feature that will be installed in a park must be identified on the General Development Plan. Park amenities that are not included in the GDP typically will require a GDP Amendment. Because the GDP is a long-range document guiding future funding allocation, design, and construction efforts—and is not frequently revised—public input during the GDP stage is essential. We encourage all community members to participate and share their ideas to help ensure parks reflect local needs and priorities.
Not all park sites are initially developed with all elements shown on the approved GDP. In addition, the community may request improvements to a park that are minor in nature and do not require an amendment to the GDP. The City may implement these projects when funding is identified. These projects may include the addition of security lighting, new picnic shelter(s), replacement of comfort stations, minor expansion of existing parking, or improvements identified on a GDP but not yet constructed. For minor projects that do not require a GDP amendment, the City will present to the CRG and then proceed to the implementation phases of the project.
How can I get involved in the GDP design process?
The community is invited to participate in the creation or amendment of each park’s General Development Plan (GDP) through public meetings and workshops as outlined in Council Policy 600-33. The city provides notices to inform residents of these opportunities, ensuring that community input is gathered and considered before final decisions are made. The City hosts:
- At least two community meetings with the park's Community Recreation Group (CRG)*; and
- At least one meeting with the Parks and Recreation Board (PRB)**.
Here’s how it typically works:
- CRG Workshop #1 – Gather input and ideas
- CRG Workshop #2 – As needed to gather additional input
- CRG Action Item – CRG advisory body votes to recommend GDP
- PRB Action Item – PRB votes to recommend final GDP
Additional outreach may include pop-up events, surveys, and/or individual stakeholder meetings. In the context of park design projects, a stakeholder is any individual, group, or organization that may be significantly impacted by the park’s design and can offer valuable insights, express specific needs, or raise concerns that help shape the final design.
* If a park lies within a community with no established Community Recreation Group (CRG) in good standing at the time of the public input phase, the community meetings may be hosted by an alternative advisory body such as the Community Planning Group (CPG) or other body as approved by the Parks and Recreation Director or designee.
** Following community input with the CRG, the PRB may recommend approval of Minor GDP Amendments with no public meeting per Council Policy 600-33.
The CRGs are the approved public advisory body for Parks and Recreation Department projects per Council Policy 700-42. The voting members of the CRG decide whether to recommend approval of GDPs and GDP Amendments. After meeting with the CRG, the project must also be presented to the Parks and Recreation Board before final department approval.
Where can I find out about upcoming GDP meetings?
As required by Council Policy 600-33, the City distributes bulletins for GDP workshops, including to property owners within 300 feet of a park site and posts bulletins at the park site, when feasible. The City also:
- Maintains a Parks & Recreation-wide and project-specific email list to which notices for GDP meetings are emailed;
- Shares updates on the P&R Design Development webpage as well as the Park Project’s webpage; and
- Posts bulletins at the designated Recreation Center for the park.
Sign up for Park Design and Development Notices
To know if a park is currently in the GDP process, visit the Active General Development Plans page.
If your park isn't listed, contact the CRG directly to ask about upcoming planning efforts.
What can I do if I have a comment about a proposed GDP?
Comments on proposed GDPs will be taken during public meetings and through written comments and surveys. To submit questions or comments about a GDP project, contact the Parks and Recreation Department through the Ask Parks Public Comment Form. Please reference the park’s and/or project’s name in your inquiry.
What is a General Development Plan (GDP) Amendment?
A General Development Plan (GDP) amendment is a formal update to an existing, approved GDP when significant changes are proposed. Like the original GDP, Amendments go through a public review process and formal approval process to ensure the park continues to serve the community effectively.
Per Council Policy 600-33, a GDP Amendment may be required to:
- Add a new activity not already shown (e.g., a skate park or dog off-leash area),
- Displace other park uses,
- Expand or reduce the park footprint,
- Change the use of a park area (e.g., open space to athletic field), and
- Implement other changes as listed in Council Policy 600-33.
Some minor projects—such as installing site furnishings, making small landscaping adjustments, enhancing safety and accessibility, or replacing existing amenities with similar ones—do not require a formal GDP amendment. These projects may be implemented once funding is identified and can include additions like security lighting, new picnic shelters, comfort station replacements, minor parking expansions, or unbuilt improvements already shown on the GDP. For minor projects that do not require a GDP amendment, the City will present to the CRG before implementation.
How do I request an amenity for a park with an approved GDP?
Follow these steps:
- Check the GDP – Is the desired amenity shown on the approved GDP?
- If yes:
- Visit the Parks & Recreation Current Projects page to see what’s in design. The amenity you want to add could already be part of a project in development and/or planned for construction.
- Check the Unfunded Park Improvements (UPI) List – A park feature included in the approved GDP may already be listed for future funding on the City’s UPI list. The UPI list highlights proposed park upgrades based on input from advisory groups and Parks and Recreation staff. It serves as a general guide to help identify which projects could move forward as funding becomes available.
- If no: proceed to Step 2.
- If yes:
- Contact the CRG – The local CRG can contact P&R staff to confirm if the desired amenity is part of a current project, has been identified on the UPI list, or if the addition of the amenity would require a GDP Amendment. For items on the approved GDP or that do not require a GDP Amendment, the CRG may request the improvement be added to the UPI list.
What happens after a GDP or GDP Amendment is approved?
Once a General Development Plan (GDP) or GDP Amendment is approved, the next steps are to secure funding for the creation of detailed construction drawings, permitting, and construction. Depending on available funding, projects may be phased either by project stage—such as construction document preparation, permitting, and construction—or by only constructing a portion of the GDP design. GDP implementation is sometimes phased as funding is often secured incrementally over time.
The GDP process is the primary opportunity for community members to help shape the future of their parks. With few exceptions, any amenity or feature that will be installed in a park must be identified on the General Development Plan. Park amenities that are not included in the GDP typically will require a GDP Amendment. Because the GDP is a long-range document guiding future funding allocation, design, and construction efforts—and is not frequently revised—public input during the GDP stage is essential. We encourage all community members to participate and share their ideas to help ensure parks reflect local needs and priorities.
How do I know if a park project is in design development or under construction?
Visit the Parks & Recreation Current Projects page to see what’s in design, under construction, or recently completed. Parks projects have multiple avenues for delivery – Capital Improvement Program projects delivered by Engineering and Capital Projects, Developer Parks delivered by Developers, Joint Use Parks delivered by School Districts, and various improvements that are delivered by the Parks and Recreation Department.
What can I do if I still have questions?
Contact the Parks and Recreation Department through the Ask Parks Public Comment Form.