The Port of San Diego and the city are celebrating a new jewel on the waterfront. The newest gem is Ruocco Park, the Port of San Diego’s 18^th dedicated public park overlooking San Diego Bay and the city’s downtown skyline.

More than 150 people, including City, County and Port dignitaries, gathered on Thursday, September 18, 2012, along the waterfront at the corner of North Harbor Drive and Pacific Highway for the grand opening of the 3.3-acre park that one downtown resident described as an extension of her backyard.

“It’s a spectacular park,” said Lee Burdick, a member of the Board of Port Commissioners, who served as the mistress of ceremonies.

The Port of San Diego will dedicate its 18th waterfront park, Ruocco Park, at 10 a.m. on Thursday, September 20, 2012.

Located just north of Seaport Village, the park was built at the site of the former Harbor Seafood Mart at the southwest corner of Harbor Drive and Pacific Highway in San Diego. Its opening will bring the total dedicated park space on Port property to 153 acres.

City of San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders, San Diego Council President Pro Tem Kevin Faulconer, San Diego Councilmember Todd Gloria and San Diego County Supervisor Greg Cox will join Port Commissioners in dedicating the park. Executives from the San Diego Foundation, who awarded the Port a $3.5 million grant to help pay for the park, will also participate.

Ruocco Park Will be the Port of San Diego's 18th Park

San Diego artist Roman de Salvo began installation of the public artwork, The Riparium, at the site of Ruocco Park this week.

The large-scale artwork will serve as a sculptural gateway to the Port of San Diego's latest waterfront park, which is nearing completion just north of Seaport Village at the former Harbor Seafood Mart site.

Positioned at the corner of Harbor Drive and Pacific Highway, it will stand approximately 45 feet high and will be about 70 feet wide. As park goers pass through the sculpture, they will view Ruocco Park's landscape with the glistening San Diego Bay as a backdrop.

Construction of Ruocco Park, a 3.3-acre park being built on the waterfront near Harbor Drive and Pacific Highway in San Diego, is moving along.

Ground was broken on October 3 at the site, which housed the former Harbor Seafood Mart, and the park is expected to be completed this fall.

Construction is progressing on the 3.3-acre Ruocco Park, in San Diego, which will be located just north of Seaport Village, and sidewalks around the perimeter of the site will be closed through early April.

Contractors will be re-routing pedestrian traffic from the park site – at Pacific Highway and North Harbor Drive – from January 9 through at least early April 2012. This temporary pedestrian detour is necessary for the safety of pedestrians and construction workers.

•  Ruocco Sidewalk re-route Jan 12 (3.94 MB)