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.
FY25 APPLICATION INFORMATION
Applications will open soon.
ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS FOR TAP FY25
Event planners and non-profit organizations applying for TAP Community Event fee waiver sponsorship for FY25:
- TAP-sponsored events for FY25 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 FY25 applications and eligibility.
INELIGIBLE APPLICANTS FOR TAP COMMUNITY EVENTS FOR FY25
- Events charging an admission or registration fee are ineligible to apply for TAP Community Events for FY25.
- For-Profit Entities are not eligible for fee waivers or funding in FY25.
- Applicants with stormwater violations and environmental-related citations from FY22-23 will not be eligible for fee waivers in FY25.
SPONSORSHIP FUNDING
Please note, no direct sponsorship funding has been allocated for FY2 TAP Community Events in the Port's operating budget for events occurring from July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2025.
Expanded Access Program
The Port's Expanded Access Program 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 held three public special events along San Diego Bay to help bring communities together and connect them with the bayfront. These events took 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.
If you have any questions, please contact Parks & Recreation at 619.725.6001
A Day at the Park with Our Local Communities
In 2024, we partnered with member cities, Barrio Logan, National City, and Chula Vista, to enjoy a series of Day at the Park events. These events were multicultural celebrations filled with local performers, artists, food and retail vendors, and family-friendly fun.
Looking forward, we are excited to continue our community partnerships and plan more incredible events. To stay up to date with future community, tour, event and recreational information, sign up for our emails!
Community Outreach
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)
What's Happening at the Port?
Waterfront Development
The Port of San Diego will soon begin revamping the parking lot at Chula Vista Bayfront Park, with construction starting July 22 and completion anticipated by October 17, 2024. The pavement maintenance project will be constructed in stages to ensure...
Experiences
On July 9, the Board of Port Commissioners authorized a resolution proclaiming its support of Parks and Recreation Month. The Port of San Diego’s Park and Recreation department manages public access to 22 beautiful parks on the San Diego Bay...
Maritime
Free Educational Opportunity for Adult Residents Includes Bus, Boat Tours of Waterfront The Port of San Diego invites residents to sign up for the next cohort of the Portside Community Academy, an educational program aimed at building deeper...