By SDCN Staff
Chula Vista, CA–Officials from the Port of San Diego, the City of Chula Vista, and community partners gathered Tuesday to celebrate the start of construction on new park amenities along the Chula Vista Bayfront.
The groundbreaking ceremony marked the beginning of improvements in the southern portion of Harbor Park, formerly known as Bayside Park. Planned additions include a nautical-themed playground, splash pad and other enhancements aimed at expanding public access to the waterfront.
“A key goal of the Chula Vista Bayfront redevelopment is to deliver more coastal access for everyone who lives, works, and plays on and around San Diego Bay,” said Ann Moore, Chula Vista’s appointee to the Board of Port Commissioners.
The project adds 12 acres of parkland to the Chula Vista Bayfront. Combined with the 39-acre Sweetwater Park, which opened last spring, the additions bring the total to 51 acres of new public park space designed with input from South Bay residents.
“Harbor Park’s transformation is a big win for Chula Vista,” said John McCann. “By doubling this park’s size and adding new family-friendly amenities, we’re creating more access to our bayfront and more opportunities for our community to gather, play and thrive.”
When complete, Harbor Park will expand from about 12 acres to 25 acres, roughly doubling the size of the former Bayside Park. Improvements will be completed in phases to enhance beach and bay access while strengthening environmental resiliency along San Diego Bay.
The new park areas are being developed as part of the Gaylord Pacific Resort and Convention Center project. Construction will take place in two stages — a south phase and a north phase. The current south phase project includes a splash pad with outdoor rinse showers, accessible pathways connecting the park to surrounding streets near the Gaylord resort, new landscaping with shade trees and gathering spaces, pedestrian lighting, picnic tables, benches, shade structures and a new park entrance from the roundabout at the end of H Street. A temporary portion of Sandpiper Way will permanently close as part of the redesign.
The south phase carries an estimated cost of $15 million and is partially funded through a grant from the California Coastal Conservancy. The conservancy awarded $6.6 million to the Port of San Diego, with up to $2.26 million supporting the current phase. The remaining $4.34 million will be used for a future beach and boat launch project planned for the park’s north end.
“This park will make a tremendous difference for the City of Chula Vista, giving residents new opportunities to access and enjoy the shoreline,” said Marce Gutiérrez-Graudiņš. “The Coastal Conservancy prioritizes projects that expand public access, create wildlife habitat and enhance climate resilience–Harbor Park does all of that along the San Diego Bay’s urban waterfront.”
In June 2025, the Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners approved a contract with BNBuilders for progressive design-build services. At its Feb. 17 meeting, the board authorized staff to finalize two Guaranteed Maximum Price contracts with the company for the south phase improvements–one covering the playground and another for the splash pad.
Final plans and specifications for the splash pad are expected to be presented to the board for consideration in April.
The temporary east-west extension of Sandpiper Way that was built during Gaylord construction will be permanently closed and converted into new park space. A new entrance into the park will be built at the roundabout at the west end of H Street. Until the new entrance is completed, park visitors are encouraged to enter the park via H Street, around the front of Gaylord, to G Street. Detour signs will be posted directing drivers to this route. Another alternative route is to come from the north using F Street, continuing west onto Lagoon Drive, then south on Marina Parkway to G Street.
As additional funding is secured, the Port will continue to design and build out Harbor Park in phases to deliver the community’s vision. A full build-out concept was created through extensive stakeholder and community engagement. Additional proposed features at full buildout include parking improvements on the north end of the park, an enlarged and improved beach surrounded by terraced headlands, a pocket marsh with salt marsh plantings, a boat launch at the north end for hand-launched personal watercraft such as kayaks and paddleboards, north and south meadows with paths and picnic tables, multi-use lawns and large public gathering areas on both ends, more pedestrian and bicycle pathways, and an interactive fountain.
The expansion of Bayside Park into the larger Harbor Park and added new public amenities is part of the Chula Vista Bayfront redevelopment.
