SAN DIEGO, CA.  San Diego City Councilmember David Alvarez today, along with residents and community members, advocated for full funding for the first community park in Ocean View Hills.

“Council District Eight has been deficient in park space for years, and residents are tired of waiting for improvements in their neighborhoods,” stated Councilmember Alvarez.  “I have expressed the need for this park to the Mayor and my fellow City Council members on multiple occasions during the past year because this park is a top budget priority.”  

Efforts to fund the future development of a 20-acre community park in the Ocean View Hills neighborhood of District 8 began thirteen years ago.  This park (formerly named Pacific Breezes Park) was included in the Alvarez/Cole/Emerald FY2016 Budget Priorities Memo.   With over 6,100 adults and current plans to develop approximately 2,000 residential units, Ocean View Hills is without a community park.  Roughly $5 million is needed to complete funding to construct this park, which will include lighted softball fields, playground areas, comfort station, concession stand, storage, off-street parking, turf area, picnic shelters, benches, drinking fountain and storm water detention areas.

This will be also be a historic achievement since the park will be renamed after retired Assistant Chief Cesar Solis, who was the highest ranking Filipino American officer with the San Diego Police Department.  Chief Solis retired after 32 years of serving the SDPD from July 23, 1982 until March 3, 2014. Throughout his career, Cesar was a role model in the community and was the first Filipino to be promoted to the rank of Captain as well as Assistant Chief.   As a native of District Eight and the South Bay communities, Cesar Solis has spent over three decades of his life protecting and serving our neighborhoods across the City.

“Filipinos have had a rich history in District Eight and remain the 2nd largest ethnic minority population within the District as well as in San Diego, said Alvarez.  “However, no public facilities have been named after a Filipino figure in recognition of the contributions that Filipinos have made in San Diego.”

“We are urging the Mayor to provide $5 million to completely fund this shovel-ready project for FY2016,” said Felipe Nuno, Ocean View Hills Recreation Council Chair and resident.  “When this neighborhood was built, residents were told a park was going to be built within Ocean View Hills and many attended meetings to be involved with the design and process.  Still, we see that no development has happened and we demand our park now.”

“This is an inspirational milestone for the local Filipino and Asian Pacific Islander communities, especially the youth and service members,” said Joel San Juan, CEO of Operation Samahan.  “We are excited to be a part of a collaborative project to improve this community and foster a stronger sense of belonging to an area where South Bay residents have invested their lives.”

The website for Cesar Solis Park Park was also launched today:
www.cesarsolispark.com.  Information will be provided to find ways to get involved and updates will be provided on the process to fund and rename this park.

‍