After undergoing a $4.5 million revitalization project, the City of La Mesa’s Collier Park reopened with a celebratory event this past Saturday.

The park’s ribbon cutting ceremony included family friendly activities, exercise demonstrations and interactive talks following. Coffee and pastries were provided by Dark Horse Coffee Roasters, burritos were supplied by Sombrero Mexican Food, and water by The Water Haus.

Renovations for Collier Park, La Mesa’s first and oldest park, officially began in November 2022.

Updates include refurbishments to landscaping, safety, playground and shading structures, a nature exploration area, irrigation systems and more. A comprehensive renovation timeline, list and pictures can be found at: https://www.cityoflamesa.us/1652/Collier-Park.

For many City officials, those involved in construction and La Mesans, the project’s completion has been highly anticipated.

“As one of the oldest parks in our city, I’m thrilled by the much-needed renovations it has undergone,” said Mayor Mark Arapostathis. “When the park officially opens, I look forward to seeing La Mesa residents and their families enjoying the new amenities, which include a shared pickleball/tennis court, nature trails, shaded areas, a new playground and more.”

Director of Community Services Susan Richardson also detailed, “There are lots of places to sit, new trees everywhere, and about [a third] of the park that was previously undeveloped is now a nature area with reclaimed logs to climb on, a nature trail and a small amphitheater for groups.”

These updates are part of a long-term project to improve and update the park contingent on community input through a master plan started in 2008, adopted in 2013, with further input collected in 2018, according to the Collier Park Renovations Project Master Plan website.

The site further explains that the $4.5 million funding was allocated from “park development fees, Federal Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), La Mesa Park and Recreation Foundation donations (for the new playground), CA Department of Parks and Recreation Local Assistance Specified Grant funds and CA Proposition 68 Land and Water Bond funds.”

La Mesa Councilmember Colin Parent (pictured as a youngster at the park in 1983) grew up visiting Collier Park and shared that he “[takes] a lot of pride in La Mesa’s investment in a treasured community space. Our renovations to Collier Park have been a long but welcomed process.”

La Mesa Councilmember Jack Shu shared similar sentiments to the park developments.

“Recreational programs and park sites, like Collier, add so much to our community, from improving property values to helping families enjoy quality time,” Shu said. “It’s one of the best investments that local governments can make.”

Further information about La Mesa events can be found at: https://cityoflamesa.us/409/Special-Events.

Top photo credit: City of La Mesa/Colin Parent photo courtesy of Colin Parent.