Sudberry Properties has announced the opening of Creekside Park, a 1.3-acre linear park in Civita that includes elevated walkways, a children’s play area, seating, picnic areas and an off-leash dog run. The City of San Diego park extends from Friars Road to Civita Boulevard and is adjacent to the 14.3-acre Civita Park.
Creekside Park is part of the network of parks in Civita that will stretch from Friars Road in Mission Valley to Phyllis Place in Serra Mesa. More than 80% of the parks are complete.
“Creekside Park serves as a trailhead leading to numerous recreational open spaces in Civita. It is also an important part of our extensive biofiltration stormwater system that treats and cleans runoff before it flows into the San Diego River,” said Colton Sudberry, president of Sudberry Properties, the master developer of the 230-acre Civita urban village. “It offers another beautiful and tranquil space in the Civita community for passive recreation and social connections.”
The children’s play area features a modern geometric climbing structure, spinners, other play equipment and picnic areas bordered by river-themed mosaic tilework by La Jolla artist Jane Wheeler.
Creekside Park also features landscaped detention basins that mimic the character of a natural creek, while containing and treating runoff from the development and surrounding community.
The large dam-like stone retaining wall at the park entrance near Friars Road was inspired by the Old Mission Dam, which spans the San Diego River in Mission Trails Regional Park. Built around 1803, the Old Mission Dam was the first major colonial-era irrigation project on the West Coast and provided water to Mission San Diego de Alcalá.
The drought-tolerant landscape in the park offers a seasonal display of blooming plants designed to create pollinator pathways contributing to biodiversity. The park is also consistent with the community’s comprehensive water conservation program, which includes an on-site water reclamation plant, and high-efficiency irrigation with computerized weather-based control systems. The reclamation plant is under construction. When completed in 2025, the reclaimed water will irrigate all parks and streetscapes in the community.
Sudberry Properties developed Creekside Park in partnership with the city’s Parks and Recreation Department. The park was designed by Schmidt Design Group, Inc. of San Diego, with Glen Schmidt, FASLA, principal in charge, Jennifer Montgomery, associate landscape architect, and Jesus Alan Figueroa, project manager. Schmidt Design Group, which also designed the award-winning Civita Park, is a recognized leader in promoting drought-tolerant and native plant materials, sustainable design and water conservation. Rick Engineering provided civil engineering services and Hazard Construction was the general contractor.
The same development team recently completed Franklin Ridge Park, a .20-acre triangular-shaped pocket park located on Franklin Ridge Road near the Marquee neighborhood. The park features picnic facilities, a shade canopy, open turf area, artful features, and views of Mission Valley. Sculptural walls with mosaic tile inlay and an interpretive exhibit display tell the story of the site’s geologic history.
