Filner Calls for Regional Park Along the Otay River

Saying he wants to protect the only natural open space in the Otay Mesa-Nestor area from “piecemeal development,” San Diego City Councilman Bob Filner proposed Thursday that a regional park be established along the Otay River between San Diego Bay and Otay Lakes.

Filner sent a memo to his council colleagues asking them to work with the City of Chula Vista and the County of San Diego on a cooperative plan for the area and to refuse to grant any rezoning or community plan amendments in Otay Mesa until the planning effort is complete.

In 1986, the council approved a similar proposal in northern San Diego by Councilwoman Abbe Wolfsheimer, who supports the creation of a regional park along the San Dieguito River.

Support From Chula Vista, County

At a press conference to announce his proposal, Filner was joined by Chula Vista Mayor Greg Cox and county Supervisor Brian Bilbray. Both expressed support for the park, which would extend from San Diego through Chula Vista and several unincorporated areas.

“The key is to do it now before developers are allowed to put up barriers,” Bilbray said.

Although the Otay River Valley is designated open space in San Diego’s General Plan, Filner said nothing had been done to turn it into a recreational area, despite the community’s need for parkland.

Scenic Overlooks and Jogging Trails

Filner said he hopes to see a 10-mile stretch along the river turned into a linear park that would include scenic overlooks and trails for jogging, bike riding and horseback riding, as well as wildlife preserves.

“This is envisioned as a people’s park, a recreational area, an area of beauty for people to enjoy,” he said.

“All the other parts of San Diego have canyons and hillsides. Here, there’s nothing.”

Representatives of South Bay community organizations who attended the press conference said Filner’s plan would provide the area’s young people with desperately needed recreational space.

Children Have No Place to Play

Val Guerra, a member of the Border Community Town Council and the Otay Mesa Recreational Council, said children in his neighborhood must travel two miles to get to a park.

“The children in this area don’t have anyplace to play,” Guerra said. “Our Little League doesn’t have a place to have their ballgames. The kids play on the school grounds, but there are no parks to play in.”

Filner estimated it would take a year and $50,000 to $75,000 for the two cities and the county to develop a plan for turning the river area, which is primarily sand fill and farmland, into a park. He said he could not estimate what it would cost to actually create the park.