The final phases of Civita Park are complete and have opened to the public! I’ve been wanting to explore this phase of the park since my sneak peek. The playground is closed (as with all parks in San Diego), but there is still so much to explore!
Here are all the features of this new phase:
- Two playgrounds
- A shaded picnic grove new restroom building (near the playground)
- The Mining Relics Garden
- “Lookout Meadow”
- The Frame
- A beautiful garden zone
- Bocce court and game area
This is in addition to everything we’ve already explored in the first phase!
Sudberry Properties, master developer of Civita, graciously gave me some photos of this beautiful park to use here. All photos are my own, unless otherwise noted.
Playgrounds
Civita Park has two playgrounds, one for children 2-5 and the other for kids 5-12. The “big kid” playground is shaded with canopies and has lots to climb! There is a rope course, slide, spinners and a group swing. The ground covering is all rubber ground.
Tot Lot
If you have littles, you’ll love the tot lot (and so will they)! I like that is separate from the larger playground (the picnic area is between), although it does make it a little challenging if you have children in different age groups. In addition to traditional playground equipment (small slides and climbing structure), you’ll find natural elements like giant tree trunks and rocks – including a very safe rock climbing wall perfect for toddlers. There is also a sand play center. A shade canopy covers the tot lot play equipment and there are benches to sit and watch.
Swings
In addition to the group swing in the big kid playground, there are two sets of swings next to the picnic area. Two regular (saddle) swings and two baby (bucket) swings.
Picnic Area and Restroom Building
The picnic area is a lovely spot! There are several picnic areas throughout the park, but this one is closest to the playground. It has four picnic benches (one with wheelchair access, which you can’t see in this pic), deluxe barbecues and even a prep table. It is shaded and has lights.
The nearby restroom building is similar to the other bathroom building located near the parking lot. It has six gender-neutral, wheelchair accessible stalls, and two family restrooms with changing tables (also wheelchair accessible).
Mining Relics Garden
This is the only playground where you’ll find preserved mining equipment! This heavy machinery was used when the Civita Park site was operated as a quarry. There is a Caterpillar D8 bulldozer, large augers and conveyer belt. It’s for display only, but kids of all ages would still love to check them out!
image below courtesy of Sudberry Properties.
Lookout Meadow
“Lookout Meadow” is an event pavilion with a landmark shade structure that mimics the design of the Civita amphitheater. The secluded area was designed for informal gatherings and group events, such as weddings, birthday parties or small concerts. The space can be reserved through the City of San Diego Parks and Recreation Department
The Frame, an Instagram-worthy, 10-foot-high structure located in Lookout Meadow is pretty cool. The Frame honors Ken Grant, an avid photographer, whose vision was instrumental in the design of the park
Garden Zone
If you’re looking for a lovely place to walk, check out the quiet garden zone in this phase of the park. You can stroll through a scent garden, succulent garden and winged garden – all with horticultural signage.
I’ll have to go back for more pictures of this sweet area (oh darn!), but you can see the winding path in the photo below (it’s the center of the pic, just beyond “The Frame”).
Bocce Court and Game Area
One of the many cool features of the first phase of the park was the game plaza, and now there are more options for games at Civita Park! This area has a regulation-sized bocce court adjacent to a supersize picnic table and game tables (chess/checkers and ping pong/table tennis).
"The Stairs"
The Stairs were completed in an earlier phase of Civita Park, but they’re easier to access now from the main park (instead of having to park near the dog park and access from the tunnel).
Civita Tunnel
This incredible mural was also completed in earlier phases of the park (in 2018!) but can now be accessed from the main park as well. It’s at the top of “The Stairs” and leads to the dog parks. The mural is by Kevin Anderson and is described on his webpage as “A colossal 72-foot-long, 270-degree mural in a pedestrian tunnel in the Civita community in Mission Valley. The mural depicts the diversity of San Diego County from the desert to the ocean and highlights ‘places to go and things to do’ in the far-flung county.” It features Cabrillo National Park, the Star of India, Hotel del Coronado, hang gliders at Torrey Pines, the San Diego Zoo, the Blue Angels, Tony Gwynn, the USS Midway and so much more… I see something new every time I go!
images below courtesy of Sudberry Properties.
See Much to See!
As I mentioned, all the incredible features of the newest phases at Civita Park are in addition to the splash pad, game plaza, amphitheater, military tribute, half-court basketball courts, picnic areas, dog parks, community garden, and art from earlier phases. Check out my post of Civita Park here!
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Beautifully written article on Civita Park, Jeannie. I live just across Friars Rd and I am eager to see the improvements. Your love of San Diego’s parks is shared by parents and grandparents of little ones all over the county. You are a great ambassador for San Diego’s parks and playgrounds. Thank you!