A small space made a huge difference in the neighborhood of Stockton (south of Golden Hill) where the Island Avenue Mini Park opened last week, part of a city plan to add more public spaces.

The outdoor area is the third of four “mini parks” provided by the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) — a $6 million fund supporting the Southeastern Mini Park Improvements Capital Improvements Program in City Council District 8.

☀️ Three new parks

The Island Avenue Mini Park — right off 30th Street — is our city’s newest park, but not its last. The $3.1 million project slid into a vacant lot, and turned it into a usable, public space with seating, a barbecue area, a playground, shaded space + an ADA accessible ramp.

Mayor Todd Gloria celebrated the park’s opening as part of his “Parks For All Of Us” plan focused on equity. These spaces provide recreational areas, and encourage residents to explore our city — just like the other two recent additions.

The J Street Mini Park opened in October 2021 — transforming a 11,835-sqft space in Stockton into a community area with play areas, benches + safety equipment.
In June 2021, the Gamma Mini Park (aka the 41st Street Mini Park) opened in Shelltown, giving residents access to two play structures, an ADA accessible swing + rope climbing circle, and shaded outdoor space.

🌳 What’s next?

The Clay Avenue Mini Park is the fourth + final mini park added under CDBG. Construction has not yet begun on the Logan Heights project, but it has an estimated 11-month timeline and is expected to be completed in 2023. The 0.19-acre mini park will add playground equipment, accessible sidewalks, a picnic area, gating + lighting.

🪨 More San Diego mini parks

The CDBG funding is reserved for specific projects, but the concept of mini parks isn’t entirely new, it’s just growing in popularity. Earlier this year, the North Park Mini Park transformed a 21,780-sqft parking lot behind the Observatory Theatre into a gathering space for community events like the Thursday Market, and added to the 40+ mini parks in our city.