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Tidelands Activation Programs (TAP)

As part of our efforts to support a vibrant and active waterfront, the Port of San Diego offers sponsorship to community organized events through the Tidelands Activation Programs, or TAP.

    Fish balloons at a parade

    Tidelands Activation Programs (TAP)

    This annual grant program supports events, large and small, that engage the community and inspire visitors to enjoy San Diego Bay.

    TIDELANDS ACTIVATION PROGRAMs (TAP) OVERVIEW

    The Port of San Diego offers sponsorship to organizations through the Tidelands Activation Programs (TAP), a grant initiative that has provided service fee waivers to non-profit organizations for events that engage the community and inspire visitors to enjoy San Diego Bay.

    A Day in the Park logo

    A Day at the Park: Pepper Park 

    Saturday, March 30 | 12 – 5 p.m.  

    3299 Tidelands Ave, National City, CA 91950 

    About This Event

    Download the Flyer

    FY24 APPLICATION INFORMATION

    Click link below to access the Port of San Diego’s online FY24 Tidelands Activation Programs (TAP) sponsorship portal. Your completion of this form will ensure that the Port staff has the information necessary to efficiently review and verify your organization’s data. 


    TAP APPLICATION PORTAL

    ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS FOR TAP FY24

    • Important update for event planners and non-profit organizations applying for TAP Community Event fee waiver sponsorship for FY24:
    • TAP-sponsored events for FY24 must be open to all ages and free of admission charges or registration fees.
    • Non-profit applicants hosting free events in port tidelands parks that are open to all ages will be eligible to apply for TAP Community Event fee waiver sponsorship. 
    • Please contact port staff at 619-686-6319 for assistance regarding TAP FY24 applications and eligibility.

    INELIGIBLE APPLICANTS FOR TAP COMMUNITY EVENTS FOR FY24

    • Events charging an admission or registration fee are ineligible to apply for TAP Community Events for FY24.
    • For-Profit Entities are not eligible for fee waivers or funding in FY24.
    • Applicants with stormwater violations and environmental-related citations from FY22-23 will not be eligible for fee waivers in FY24.
       
    MEMBER CITY APPLICANTS

    Port Member City applicants please visit the Civic Events Activation Program Portal to submit applications for FY24 events.


    ELIGIBLE APPLICANT NOTICES FOR TAP FY24
    • Submittal of a TAP application does not guarantee the date and location or imply automatic approval of fee waivers for your event.
    • Acceptance of your application or event verification data and recommendation for a TAP award does not guarantee an event permit will be issued.
    • TAP applicants are responsible for submitting a special event permit application on Port’s service portal website and corresponding event sponsorship application.

    SPONSORSHIP FUNDING

    Please note, no direct sponsorship funding has been allocated for FY24 TAP Community Events in the Port's operating budget for events occurring from July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024. 

     


     

    New Expanded Access Program


    This new category type aims to improve access to under-activated member city parks via a Port-funded and Port-branded community event.

    Expanded Access Events are intended to activate parks that have historically been less activated than some other Port parks and been underutilized by the community. Expanded Access Events will proactively feature events designed to draw community members to these underutilized parks. This program reaffirms the Port’s investment in each community, and the events should appeal to a diverse population and feature the unique character of the selected public space.

    In 2024, the Port of San Diego will hold three public special events along San Diego Bay to help bring communities together and connect them with the bayfront. These events will take place at Cesar Chavez Park in Barrio Logan on the San Diego Bayfront, Pepper Park on the National City Bayfront, and Bayfront Park on the Chula Vista Bayfront. 

    Parks & Recreation staff conducted six community outreach meetings in September 2023 on the Expanded Access Sponsorship Program to help identify the characteristics of the special events, including type of event. By using an interactive online survey tool and participants’ mobile phones, local area residents in all three communities indicated they would like the Port to sponsor a multi-cultural festival in spring 2024. Respondents also ranked children’s activities, like face painting and bounce houses, as the most preferred featured experience to include as part of the event. Approximately 100 community residents participated in the six in-person / virtual outreach meetings listed below: 

    National City, ILWU Local 29 in National City  
    September 6, 2023 (In-person Meeting) / September 7, 2023 (Virtual Meeting) 

    Barrio Logan, Barrio Station, San Diego 
    September 12, 2023 (In-person Meeting) / September 13, 2023 (Virtual Meeting) 

    Chula Vista, Chula Vista Library in Chula Vista  
    September 27, 2023 (In-person Meeting) / September 28, 2023 (Virtual Meeting) 

    Again, based on community feedback obtained at these workshops, the Port’s Parks & Recreation department plans to host a special event in spring 2024 at the following parks:

    • Cesar Chavez Park in Barrio Logan
    • Pepper Park on the National City Bayfront
    • Bayfront Park on the Chula Vista Bayfront

    If you have any questions, please contact Parks & Recreation at 619.725.6001

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