The Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners has approved a construction contract for improvements in Pepper Park, a first step toward upgrading and expanding recreational amenities on the National City Bayfront for visitors and residents.
On June 18, the Board awarded an approximately $6.1 million contract to De La Fuente Construction and authorized an additional $1.2 million for construction administration and contingency, for a total construction cost of up to $7.35 million. Project construction is anticipated to get underway in August and be complete by the end of 2025.
The current anticipated timeline for Pepper Park Phase 1 improvements and future expansion is as follows:
2024 – Begin construction of initial priority park improvements within current park space
2025 – Complete initial priority park improvements within current park space
2025 to 2029 – Funding and a timeline for future improvements, including park expansion, are to be determined.
“As a Port of communities, we promised to enhance and transform Pepper Park and we are delivering,” said Chairman Frank Urtasun, Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners in a press release. “This first phase will dramatically change and improve how the public uses and enjoys the park, and it’s just the beginning. The future phase will bring a bigger park for the National City Bayfront with even more for the community and visitors to experience and enjoy.”
Pepper Park is an approximately 5.2-acre park adjacent to Pier 32 Marina. Currently, the park features a boat launch ramp, picnic tables, restrooms, fishing pier, floating boat dock, playground equipment, lawn areas, and the Aquatic Center. The Pepper Park Phase 1 Improvements Project will include upgrades and new amenities in the park’s current footprint, including a new splash pad – the first in any park along San Diego Bay, a pirate-themed playground, a perched beach, an overlook/terrace, a hillside play area, as well as an additional picnic area, a new entry plaza, and new lighting, landscaping and hardscaping throughout the park.
For the project, the Port has designated $3.5 million in funding received via the American Rescue Plan Act and the State of California’s Coronavirus Fiscal Recovery Fund, plus another $2 million from the Port’s Balanced Capital Program, and $1.6 million in Other Capital Projects funding. Additionally, Austal USA, which is operating a new ship repair facility on the National City Bayfront, contributed $250,000.
The redesigned park and first phase improvements identified are a result of multiple rounds of public outreach between 2016 and 2022 resulting in a holistic design of the improvements to the existing park and the park expansion, ensuring a cohesive park space after implementation of the park expansion. The Port, parks design team KTUA, and public relations consultant Nuffer, Smith, Tucker led the award-winning community outreach efforts.
A future 2.5-acre park expansion is contingent upon the availability of additional funding, as well as certification of the National City Balanced Land Use Plan Port Master Plan Amendment by the California Coastal Commission. Future improvements include a flex plaza, an expanded waterside promenade, a new parking lot with a minimum of 23 added parking spaces, new picnic areas, and more.
