A small space made a huge difference in the neighborhood of Stockton (south of Golden Hill) where the Island Avenue Mini Parkopened last week, part of a city plan to add more public spaces.
The outdoor area is the third of four “mini parks” provided by the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) — a $6 million fund supporting the Southeastern Mini Park Improvements Capital Improvements Program in City Council District 8.
So much fun in a little space on Island Avenue. | Photo courtesy of City of San Diego
☀️ Three new parks
The Island Avenue Mini Park — right off 30th Street — is our city’s newest park, but not its last. The $3.1 million project slid into a vacant lot, and turned it into a usable, public space with seating, a barbecue area, a playground, shaded space + an ADA accessible ramp.
Mayor Todd Gloria celebrated the park’s opening as part of his “Parks For All Of Us” plan focused on equity. These spaces provide recreational areas, and encourage residents to explore our city — just like the other two recent additions.
The J Street Mini Park opened in October 2021 — transforming a 11,835-sqft space in Stockton into a community area with play areas, benches + safety equipment.
In June 2021, the Gamma Mini Park (aka the 41st Street Mini Park) opened in Shelltown, giving residents access to two play structures, an ADA accessible swing + rope climbing circle, and shaded outdoor space.
🌲 What’s next?
The Clay Avenue Mini Park is the fourth + final mini park added under CDBG. Construction has not yet begun on the Logan Heights project, but it has an estimated 11-month timeline and is expected to be completed in 2023. The 0.19-acre mini park will add playground equipment, accessible sidewalks, a picnic area, gating + lighting.
This tiny North Park space has so many uses. | Photo courtesy of City of San Diego
🪨 More San Diego mini parks
The CDBG funding is reserved for specific projects, but the concept of mini parks isn’t entirely new, it’s just growing in popularity. Earlier this year, the North Park Mini Park transformed a 21,780-sqft parking lot behind the Observatory Theatre into a gathering space for community events like the Thursday Market, and added to the 40+ mini parks in our city.
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Three Dog Night| Thurs., June 30 | 7:30 p.m. | The Moonlight Amphitheatre | $49+ | The rock band performs a concert to help Doors of Change + raise hope for homeless youth. 🎸
North Park Thursday Market | Thursdays | 3-7:30 p.m. | North Park Main Street, 3939 Iowa St. | Browse through local vendor tents offering fresh produce, flowers, baked goods and apparel. 🥑
Kobey’s Swap Meet | Fridays-Sundays | 7 a.m.-3 p.m. | 3500 Sports Arena Blvd. | $1 or $2 | “A pair of socks, a pair of shoes…” (if you know, you know) — the open air shopping hub offering clothing, sneakers + other goodies goes down in the Midway District.
Saturday
“Toy Story” in Concert |Sat., July 2 | 7:30 p.m. | The Rady Shell | $50+ | Relive the Pixar classic while the San Diego Symphony Orchestra performs the score. 👨🚀
Old Town Harney Street Market |Saturdays + Sundays | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Harney Street in Old Town State Historic Park | Free | Browse local produce + handmade art, jewelry + apparel near the historic landmark. 🌽
Summer Moonlight Cinema | Sat., July 2 | 7-9 p.m. | One Paseo | Free | Enjoy “Despicable Me 2” under the stars on the lawn behind Harland Brewing Company — bring blankets + chairs. 🎬
We have amonthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
Local eviction bans set in response to the pandemic will expire tomorrow, allowing tenants to lose housing for “just causes” like lease violations or the owner withdrawing the unit from the rental market. “No fault” evictions — or those without nonpayment or violations — remain banned until Sept. 30, 2022. 📃
The San Diego Harbor Police Department is reminding locals of new boating laws before they sail into Independence Day, and to steer clear of fixtures for the Big Bay Boom. Residents ages 45 and under must obtain a “California Boater Card” to operate a boat + anyone ages 13 and under must wear a life vest unless inside an enclosed cabin. 🚤 (Fox 5)
Development
The Oceanside Planning Commission approved the Vista Blue project — the city’s first single-room occupancy hotel — that will renovate the former Marty’s Valley Inn. The facility will offer 118 units with year-long leases at market rates, providing affordable housing options to help combat homelessness. 🏨 (San Diego Union-Tribune)
Environment
The trash is greener in Carlsbad, with composting services starting tomorrow. Residents + businesses will need to separate organic materials for composting — think food scraps, yard clippings, and paper products. Customers of Republic Services can request free kitchen pails to differentiate these materials from other trash. ♻️
Trending
Was that a UFO over San Diego? A Mission Hills resident Tweeted a video of bright, patterned lights in the sky that got thousands of views. The confusion was resolved when locals identified the flying objects as flares from a military exercise over the coast. 🛸 (ABC News)
Real Estate
Growing home prices slowed in San Diego, but they haven’t hit a ceiling yet. According to data from the Case-Shiller Index, our county saw costs increase by 2.3% in April — which is greater than the national average of 2.1%, but less than March’s growth of 3.7%. 📈 (Times of San Diego)
Sports
Fernando Tatis Jr. is slowly swingin’ back after recent wrist surgery. The San Diego Padres shortstop is expected to be batting at full speed in two weeks, then he’ll progress to hitting pitches from a machine for 10 days. He also expects an additional rehab assignment before being cleared to play. ⚾ (San Diego Union-Tribune)
Traffic
High Bluff Drive in Carmel Valley is starting to look wheelie different. After a recent Community Planning board meeting, residents were informed the recently-repaved streets will undergo striping work that will include new bike lanes. This project will result in the reduction of parking spaces on roads near Overlook Park. 🚲 (Del Mar Times)
Theater
Lamb’s Players Theatre hasn’t closed the curtain on “Million Dollar Quartet” yet. The Coronado venue extended the show’s run until Sun., Aug. 28. The musical tells the story of a night in 1956 when Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins + Jerry Lee Lewis met and changed the course of American music forever. 🎸 (The Coronado Times)
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No more playing games. It’s the last weekend to visit the San Diego County Fair — but there’s time to plan your trip. Heroes are still being called to reunite, with tickets available today through Mon., July 4.
Don’t worry, there are still plenty of games to be played, rides to be ridden + food to be eaten. And, it should be fairly obvious that the event will be going out with a bang. The final night will host a Fireworks Extravaganza to celebrate Independence Day.
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Editor’s pick:Good morning, San Diego. The Fourth of July is quickly approaching, and I’m preparing for the festivities by stocking my kitchen. One of my favorite local beers is Stone Buenaveza by Stone Brewing. I love the cans, though I always laugh because they have “imported from San Diego” printed on the back. After the holiday, I’m excited to sip my way through the city during Drink Up Week — and you can get involved, too.
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