In the midst of all of downtown San Diego’s remodeling and reconstruction, one project in particular seems to have been forgotten by those in charge. City Council is anticipated to vote on additional funding for the Children’s Park, a poorly planned park conveniently located across the street from the convention center and adjacent to the Children’s museum.
If the city’s council does not approve additional funding for the park, the entire project may be delayed even longer. A plan was originally approved in 2015 to redo the Children’s Park. However, six years later, the park continues to be an eyesore for residents of downtown. One major problem that the city is running into is that bids to renovate the park exceed $1 million more than was originally budgeted.
The park has been described as dangerous, dark, unattractive, and dirty by residents. What was once intended as a place for children to get outside and exercise while they play, now serves as a safe haven for crime and the city’s growing homeless population. Though the concept and initial funds to improve the park were improved years ago, failure to act resulted in the previously placed bids becoming outdated.
San Diego continues growing at a rapid rate, and downtown San Diego real estate would become an even more profitable venture if the city initiated action to revamp and restore the Children’s Park. Furthermore, these efforts wouldn’t only increase the value of property in downtown, it would give children a safe and clean place to play. Utilizing a children’s park to house the homeless is counterintuitive to what the council originally approved.
The downtown homeless population in San Diego is another issue that the city’s council should consider addressing. Instead of using government-funded parks, intended for children to play, to house the homeless, the council should consider looking at all redevelopment plans and consider where they can address the homeless population.