Several Misconceptions about Fiesta Island Park Precise Plan

Below are some responses to several misconceptions about the current plan.

 

It will cost $300 million!

The adopted Master Plan would cost roughly $280 million in 2007 dollars. Our current plan is expected to cost less than $100 million. Of this, nearly $30 million would be spent on environmental enhancements and another $30 million on water quality related improvements.

 

The city can't afford to do anything!

Funds do exist in the sludge mitigation account for Fiesta Island and money generated as part of Mission Bay leases may also be available. Several statewide propositions were established to fund local projects that improve recreation, water quality, shoreline protection and habitat. Fiesta Island is well positioned to receive substantial funding from the state, especially considering the statewide importance of Mission Bay. The state's Office of Boating and Waterways routinely provide funds for such things as aquatic facilities, launch ramps & improved access to shorelines. Finally, the city can't afford to not use Fiesta Island for its original and approved intent. Purchasing and improving other lands to meet major park deficiencies that San Diego faces, would be substantially more expensive than improving this underutilized park.

 

They want to pave over the entire island!

The current plan would build only 2.25 miles of new, single-lane roads, while the master plan would build more than 6 miles of two-way roads. The current plan would bring the asphalt / concrete total to 32.10 acres, while the master plan would cover nearly 54 acres of the island under hard surfaces.

 

The island should be left alone in its natural state!

The island was created as parkland from dredgings of the bay, it is not natural. More than 90% of the island is covered by non-native invasive plant species. The current plan tries to get the upper handle on these invasives by replacing them with natives. Existing habitats will be protected and enhanced and areas that are choked with invasives will be turned into habitats (nearly 124 acres) or natural parkland (another 51.3 acres).

 

Dogs will be kicked off the island!

Never sure where this rumor started, but it has never been proposed. The master plan did not accommodate dog use on the island. Subsequent decisions by the City Council allowed dog use on the island temporarily, until plans were drawn up for implementing the master plan. Leash free dog use occurs behind a fence on about 93 acres in the southwest corner. The master plan changed this use to 100% regional parkland and a public beach. The current plan allows leash free dog use on about 90% of these 93 acres. The proposed 27 acre regional park and beach would allow for on-leash dog use, while the rest of the island allows dogs to be leash free, except in the habitat areas and the existing youth campground.

 

They want to develop the island for profit!

All proposed improvements are park or habitat related. No leases will be created. No buildings beyond restrooms or small support buildings will be constructed.

 

The want to make the entire island a turfed park!

Less than 12% of the island will be this type of parkland. Much of this acreage will include native trees and shrubs in planter areas in addition to drought tolerant turf grasses.

 

The plan would waste tremendous amounts of water!

A 10" reclaimed water line already exists on the island and would be used for most of the irrigation. Also, natural rainfall is planned to be directed into native areas for plant use, instead of running across the road and beach and into the bay where it creates sedimentation and water quality issues. The concern for waste should be centered on our continued practice of sending huge amounts of reclaimed water out to the ocean, without using it.

 

These improvements are not needed, we have plenty of regional parkland that is not getting used!

San Diego faces park shortages throughout the community, especially in areas around Mission Bay and south of I-8. These shortages are in the tens of thousands of acres, based on state standards for parkland. Mission Bay park is way overused during three day weekends, heavily used throughout the summer and consistently full during all other good weather weekend days. In addition, the master plan gave a high priority to moving certain group picnic and open field activities to Fiesta Island from existing parkland located at Crown Point, Fanuel Park, Bonita Cove and Bahia, where parking and traffic creates problems. On Fiesta Island, this parkland would be quickly accessible to a greater cross section of the population, without impacting local neighborhoods with traffic.