“This Is What the Future of Neighborhood Services Looks Like”
For years plans for expanding Mira Mesa’s Community Park have been at a complete stand still due to lack of funding – leaving residents without adequate facilities. That all changed today when Councilmember Carl DeMaio unveiled plans to tap public-private partnerships to fund the construction and operation of a revamped Mira Mesa Community Park.
“This is an exciting day! Despite the city’s budget crisis, this park project shows how we can provide neighborhoods better services if we embrace innovation and partnerships in how the city delivers its services,” DeMaio declared.
DeMaio’s plan calls for a $25 million expansion of Mira Mesa Park in three phases – with all funds for construction coming from private developments in the community undertaken by Garden Communities, Inc. and Vulcan Materials Corp. Funds for operating and maintaining the facilities, as well as providing programming for residents, will come from partnerships with local non-profits and services organizations who will be given long-term leases and contracts for using the park.
Among the park amenities financed through DeMaio’s plan: construction of an Aquatics Center and pool, renovation of ball-fields, construction of a skate park, replacement and expansion of play areas, construction of a decomposed granite jogging path, and beautification along New Salem Street.
DeMaio was joined by a variety of non-profit organizations and service organizations – such as Rancho Family YMCA, SD United Training Center, Mira Mesa Little League, Mira Mesa West Little League – that are exploring the partnerships envisioned under the park plan.
Mira Mesa, with a population of approximately 80,000 residents, has suffered for decades from a “parks deficit” for inadequate recreational facilities and park land. When DeMaio took office, he pledged to work to change that.
“Mira Mesa, like many of our city’s neighborhoods, has not been given adequate park facilities and programming. We need to change that. This project reflects my commitment to creating ‘safe zones’ for our kids and gathering places for our community. It also reflects my philosophy on what the future of neighborhood services looks like,” DeMaio concluded.