Harbor Park Improvements Set to Begin, Funded in Part by California Coastal Conservancy Grant

Road Closure and Detours Set to Begin Next Week

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Harbor Park

The 12 additional acres of Harbor Park created as part of the Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center is split into two phases - the North Phase and South Phase. Anticipated improvements in 2026 will focus on the South Phase.

The Port of San Diego will soon break ground on a new nautical-themed playground, splash pad, and other improvements being added in Harbor Park, formerly known as Bayside Park, on the Chula Vista Bayfront. Construction on the Harbor Park Improvements Project – South Phase, is anticipated to begin in the coming weeks. The project also includes a new park entrance and permanent closure of a temporary road starting as early as next week.

“This project is the first phase of doubling the size of an existing park and adding new amenities – like the playground and splash pad – to create opportunities for more recreation on the Chula Vista Bayfront,” said Chair Ann Moore, Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners. “The Port is delivering more coastal access for all by expanding, improving, and building new parks all around the San Diego Bay waterfront.”

Harbor Park is envisioned as the expansion of Bayside Park to provide improved beach and bay access, environmental resiliency, and long-term benefits for the Chula Vista Bayfront and San Diego Bay. Harbor Park is twice as big as the former Bayside Park, going from approximately 12 to 25 acres – the new park space was created as part of the Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center project.

In June 2025, the Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners approved a contract with BNBuilders for progressive design-build services. At its February 17, 2026 meeting, the Board authorized staff to agree to two Guaranteed Maximum Price contracts with BNBuilders for south phase improvements – one for the playground components and a second for the splash pad components. At the same meeting, the Board also approved the plans and specifications for the playground improvements; final plans and specifications for the splash pad are anticipated to be presented to the Board for consideration in April. 

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The improvements to be constructed include:

• A new splash pad with outdoor showers where users can rinse off chlorinated water;

• A new, nautical-themed playground with multi-age play equipment, various climbing structures and play slope;

• Accessible pathways to connect the existing park to the streets around Gaylord and provide internal circulation;

• New landscaping including shade trees and usable groundcover for visual appeal and gathering spaces;

• Pedestrian lighting and park furnishings, including picnic tables, benches, and shade structures; and

• A new entrance to the park from the roundabout at the end of H Street (a portion of Sandpiper Way will permanently close).

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The $15 million south phase project is funded in part by the California Coastal Conservancy, which awarded a $6.6 million grant to the Port – up to $2.26 million will go to the south phase project. The remaining $4.34 million will go toward a future beach and boat launch project planned for the north end of the park.

Sandpiper Way Closure and Detours
The temporary east-west extension of Sandpiper Way that was built during Gaylord construction will be permanently closed and converted into new park space. A new entrance into the park will be built at the roundabout at the west end of H Street. Until the new entrance is completed, park visitors are encouraged to enter the park via H Street, around the front of Gaylord, to G Street. Detour signs will be posted directing drivers to this route. Another alternative route is to come from the north using F Street, continuing west onto Lagoon Drive, then south on Marina Parkway to G Street.

Full Park Buildout
As additional funding is secured, the Port will continue to design and build out Harbor Park in phases to deliver the community's vision. A full build-out concept was created through extensive stakeholder and community engagement. Proposed features at full buildout include:

• Parking improvements on the north end of the park;

• An enlarged and improved beach surrounded by terraced headlands;

• A pocket marsh with salt marsh plantings;

• A boat launch at the north end for hand-launched personal watercraft such as kayaks and paddleboards;

• North and south meadows with paths and picnic tables;

• Multi-use lawns and large public gathering areas on both ends;

• More pedestrian and bicycle pathways;

• An interactive fountain, and more.

The expansion of Bayside Park into the larger Harbor Park and added new public amenities is part of the Chula Vista Bayfront redevelopment. In partnership with the City of Chula Vista, the Port of San Diego is transforming the Chula Vista Bayfront into a world-class destination in the South Bay for residents and coastal visitors to enjoy. The Harbor Park expansion is part of the first phase, which also includes the 39-acre Sweetwater Park and Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center (both opened in 2025), and the Sun Outdoors San Diego Bay RV resort (opened in 2021).

More information about the Chula Vista Bayfront is available at portofsandiego.org/chulavistabayfront.