Groundwork San Diego invites area residents to a public workshop at Sunshine-Berardini Field (4416 Federal Blvd.) on Saturday, Dec. 2, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The workshop is to discuss the future of this large recreation area that serves as a community asset a few miles south of El Cerrito.
Groundwork San Diego will lead a tour of the park and provide ice cream and face painting.
The Sunshine-Berardini Field project involves the creation and approval of a General Development Plan (GDP) for the existing park located in City Heights. As part of the GDP process, the city and Groundwork San Diego seek input from the community.
The proposed plan includes the following as tentative proposals:
* Address drainage issues at the canyon entrance
* Provide a lookout area for people with special needs
* Provide trailheads and an information kiosk
* Expand existing parking
* Demolish the existing restroom and replace it with two new restrooms
* Relocate the east playground and parking lot
* Install a new recreation area to the north of the existing parking lot
* Construct new basketball courts and pickleball courts based on community input
* On-street angled parking on Federal Boulevard
* Install as-needed pedestrian and bicycle improvements to connect to adjacent active transportation projects
* Incorporate existing baseball fields into a multi-purpose field
* Construct a new pedestrian bridge that crosses Chollas Creek
* Install sports lighting
* Install a multi-purpose pathway along the northern edge of the park
* Install permanent erosion control, including retaining walls, to stabilize sleep slopes to the north of the park
* Provide a connection to the Oak Park Tributary Trail and Parks and Recreation Open Space
* Install accessibility improvements within the park to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act
* Install new landscaping.
Some of the proposals (pickleball courts, sports lighting, multi-purpose field) have reportedly raised community concerns.
If you plan to attend, Groundwork San Diego would like you to come with your answers to the following questions:
1. What existing barriers prevent you from visiting the park?
2. what amenities, features, and improvements would you like to see in the undeveloped spaces surrounding the baseball fields?
For more information, visit: groundworksandiego.org/.
