Upgrades to Mission Bay Park

City of San Diego plans to spend $40 million to renovate the bay area

Lilyana Espinoza / Contributor / The USD Vista

Mission Bay Park is the largest man-made water park of its kind in the country and it is less than 10 minutes away from the University of San Diego. Mission Bay Park welcomes millions each year to participate in a plethora of activities. From sailing to paddleboarding, picnics, and playgrounds, there is something at Mission Bay Park for everyone, including USD students. 

Senior James Davenport, a member of the USD Cross Country Team, spoke about why he enjoys Mission Bay Park. 

“I use Mission Bay almost every day,” Davenport said. “I run mostly on the grass as well as the pavement sidewalk. At times it becomes monotonous because of how often I run there, but it is such a blessing to have (the bay) near school.”

San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer recently announced plans for $40 million to be put toward Mission Bay Park over the next six years to preserve and enhance the bay. 

When Davenport learned of the plan to improve Mission Bay Park, he felt the park was worthy of the money. 

“I believe that Mission Bay is a huge asset for San Diego,” Davenport said. “It provides tourism, attractions, and is a staple for visitors and residents alike. The park itself is great for sunsets, bonfires, birthday parties, and celebrations. The park is safe for children and can provide a safe haven for children to grow in emotional intelligence from the various playgrounds; (that) cannot be assigned a dollar amount.”

Davenport said he believes much of the money given to the park should be focused on bay dredging. Mission Bay covers over 4,000 acres and 27 miles of shoreline.  

“Mission Bay is currently polluted and not safe for swimming in certain parts of the park,” Davenport said. “Dredging will help reduce the amount of waste in park waters and potentially discontinue runoff waste when it rains. This would be ideal and would enhance the experience of tourists, residents, and the community as a whole.”

Junior Kelsey Morris, President of the USD Club Water Ski Team, believes the bay needs improvements, but is unsure if the city should spend so much money. 

“I think it’s a good idea to put efforts toward improving Mission Bay since it is such a big part of San Diego,” Morris said. “I don’t know if that much money is necessary, or how long that will actually take, but I think Mission Bay should be maintained and improved.”

According to Morris, for the Club Water Ski Team, Mission Bay is a vital aspect of the team’s ability to practice. 

“The Club Water Ski Team skis off of Fiesta Island on a private ski course that is run by the San Diego Water Ski Club as well as the college teams,” Morris said. “Without the course and dock there, as well as all the launch ramps in Mission Bay, it would much harder for us to practice as much as we do. Mission Bay is also a great place for running or walking, so I definitely enjoy having it so close. We also take our team boat out in the open bay sometimes which is fun too.”

According to Mayor Faulconer, the new plans for the park include the upgrades of playgrounds, comfort stations, parking lots, recreation facilities, and more. 

Navigational safety for the bay is also a large concern as well as preserving the environment of the bay for all of its guests. Restoring shorelines and preserving wetlands is another goal the money will go toward.  

Mayor Faulconer has been advocating for improvements to the bay for a long time now. Almost two decades ago he was a volunteer member for the Mission Bay Park committee. 

In 2008, Faulconer co-authored Proposition C that directed Mission Bay lease revenue back into the needs of the park. In 2016, Measure J was drafted to quicken the pace of the projects for the bay. Both propositions were received well by voters and both passed. 

Senior Gillian Duncan heard about the money going toward the bay because she utilizes the bay every day due to her involvement with rowing.  

“I am on the bay every single morning because I am on the USD Women’s Rowing Team, so word travels fast amongst the rowing community regarding the bay,” Duncan said. “It’s such an integral part of our practice and racing.”

Due to Duncan’s constant interaction with Mission Bay Park, she found that the money for improvements is a positive contribution to San Diego. 

“My first reaction was ‘wow that’s so much money,’” Duncan said. “However, reading about how the money is being spent makes so much sense. Mission Bay has been a second home to me for about three years now. I wish more people could see how beautiful it looks at the sunset and how it’s always buzzing every morning with children, the elderly on their morning walks, various San Diegans walking their dogs, and all the water activity. It really is such a hub for life in San Diego. It absolutely deserves to have all that money spent because we should take pride in our space so keeping it up to date and safe is money well spent.” 

For Duncan, bay dredging and parking improvements are what she is most excited to see for the future of the bay. 

“I think the two components that I am most looking forward to is the bay dredging and parking (improvements),” Duncan said. “The bay dredging will make it a lot easier for our coxswains to safely navigate the bay. And parking because parking has always been a problem during my three years.” 

Duncan explained her personal experience with parking at Mission Bay. 

“The boat house is located on El Carmel Point, which is also a public parking lot and often times it’s extremely hard to get a parking spot at 6 a.m. because most people haven’t left for work yet,” Duncan said. “This poses a problem because then rowers are late to practice. And the solution isn’t to get up earlier because we already wake up at 5 a.m. and I doubt people are leaving then either.”

Mission Bay can also be a place for USD students to accomplish academic work as well as enjoy the sites of San Diego. 

Senior Cameryn Bergman utilizes the bay due to her major in Environmental Studies. 

“As part of my research project and coursework I spend a lot of time collecting data from the bay and analyzing it back at USD,” Bergman said. “Additionally, I live on Mission Beach and frequently spend time on the bay to relax and enjoy the view.”

Bergman is excited to see improvements to the playgrounds at the park. 

“I’m most looking forward to the playground updates,” Bergman said. “The bay is a great place for families to spend time and enjoy being outdoors. Updated playgrounds will excite the children and encourage parents to bring them to play there.”

Students who utilize the Mission Bay Park recognize the need for improvements not only for aesthetic purposes but to make the area safer and more enticing for San Diegans and tourists alike. 

With millions of dollars being used for dozens of projects throughout the next several years, people will be able to take advantage of the improvements as they come.