The City of San Diego will break ground Tuesday morning on upgrades to the Bonita Cove playground that include a makeover and a new name for the park.
Improvements to the park include renovation of the half-acre playground, replacement of the comfort station, a new shade structure, sidewalks and pedestrian curb ramps to meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards and enhanced security lighting.
The construction cost is estimated at $3.4 million.
The makeover is part of more than $40 million of improvements slated over the next few years for Mission Bay Park funded by Proposition C, passed by voters in 2008, and Measure J, approved by voters in 2016.
Mayor Kevin Faulconer will be joined Andrew Field, director of the Parks and Recreation Department, community leaders and William Gardner at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Bonita Cove on W. Mission Bay Drive for the groundbreaking ceremony.
When complete, the park will be named for Maruta Gardner, a longtime Mission Beach resident, educator and volunteer well known for her work in the community.
Gardner was killed Feb. 12, 2016, when she was hit by a drunk driver while she was cleaning up graffiti on a corner near Jetty Road and Mission Boulevard.
— Staff report