Civita Park, the largest park in Mission Valley and centerpiece of a major residential development, will be unveiled at a public celebration on Saturday.
Festivities begin with an 11 a.m. ribbon cutting and continue until 3 p.m. with concerts by local bands The Whisper Mill and Part Time Model, performances by the Fern Street Circus, gardening presentations, photo opportunities with exotic birds, tai chi demonstrations, yoga classes and a bounce house and obstacle course for kids.
The event is free, and food will be available for purchase from a variety of food trucks.
Developer Sudberry Properties chose the Arbor Day weekend to mark the opening of the first two phases of the 14.3-acre park, which cascades down the former quarry site at Civita Boulevard and Russell Parkway, just north of Friars Road.
“Civita Park is the centerpiece of Civita’s network of parks, open space and trails that encompasses nearly one-third of the community,” said Marco Sessa, senior vice president of Sudberry. “We’re delighted to unveil this park, which has been in the planning and construction stages for over a decade.”
The initial two phases of the park span 10 acres and feature a waterfall, outdoor amphitheater, water jets, a plaza for special events, picnic tables, a community garden, a dog park, basketball courts and extensive trails and walkways.
“The next phases of the park, which will open next year, will include two playgrounds, more fields, a bocce court, the “Mining Relic Terrace” with historic mining equipment and a Caterpillar D8 bulldozer, and three gardens,” said Mark Radelow, vice president of Sudberry Properties. “We’ve done our best to create a park that serves the community with sports and recreation opportunities, and places for quiet relaxation, entertainment, community events, gardening, socializing, and meeting friends.”
The 70-year-old sand and gravel quarry is being developed as a transit-oriented urban community, with 4,780 homes and apartments, approximately 480,000 square feet for a retail center and 420,000 square feet for offices.
