As the Port of San Diego continues its redevelopment of the Chula Vista Bayfront, a vision for the site's first new park, Sweetwater Park, has sprouted, designed to give locals prime access to the natural beauty of San Diego Bay.

The Port Board awarded a $12,543,730 contract to 3-D Enterprises, Inc. to build the park near E Street and Bay Boulevard (adjacent to the Living Coast Discovery Center), north of the under-construction Gaylord Pacific Resort and Convention Center.

Local leaders celebrated the start of construction at the site of the future Sweetwater Park at the Chula Vista Bayfront on Oct. 3, 2023. | Photo via Port of San Diego

The Port, the City of Chula Vista, and project leaders celebrated the start of construction at the 21-acre site on Oct. 3, 2023 — which will be the Port's 23rd park along San Diego Bay. The agency expects the park to open to the public in late 2024.

The Port says Sweetwater Park will aim to connect locals with nature and highlight the “unique wildlife assets” of the bay, complementing the nearby Sweetwater Marsh National Wildlife Refuge.

Plans for the park include paved and soft-surface pedestrian and bike paths. | Photo via Port of San Diego + KTUA

🌾 Visitors can expect:

Mounded grasslands, sand dunes, meadows, shrubs and gardens featuring native plants — some of which may be used as buffers to protect sensitive habitats
Nature-focused playgrounds
Seating, picnic areas, restrooms, and overlooks offering bayfront views
Pedestrian and bike paths
216 parking spaces
Public art, with an installation by local artist Roberto Salas
The .75-mile Sweetwater Bicycle and Pedestrian Path that debuted in 2021 will wind through Sweetwater Park

KTUA will design the park, the local firm behind projects like North Park Mini Park, Southcrest Trails Park, and Canyonlands City Heights Trail.

There will be public restrooms, seating, and picnic areas, too. | Photo via Port of San Diego + KTUA

In a press release, Commissioner Ann Moore said the rec space will be “unlike any other park we have on our bayfront.”

Sweetwater Park is just one piece of the redevelopment puzzle approved in 2012. When it's completed, the 535-acre Chula Vista Bayfront project will boast 200+ acres of parks, trails, and open space — plus the hotel and new shopping and dining options, all meant to reactivate the area for locals and visitors.

Keep in mind, construction is impacting access to some bayfront areas and businesses in phases, so expect road closures and detours for the next few years.