Big Boost for Mesa Verde Park Upgrades
Mesa Verde Park will be getting a much-needed, major renovation thanks to funding from the federal government. The U.S. Department of the Interior announced today that it is awarding the City $1.3 million for the project. The grant funding is coming from the Land and Water Conservation Fund’s Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program (ORLP). The City will be matching the received funds one-to-one, investing a total of $2.6 million into this project.
”Fixing up this Mesa Verde Park is a project I’ve wanted to do ever since I was a State Senator in the International District, and with this funding, we’re finally able to do the renovations families in the area deserve,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “After over 40 years since it was built, Mesa Verde Park is getting the upgrades it needs.”
The conceptual plan for the park includes a futsal court and pickleball courts; new playground and nature play area; shade structures; a dog park; expanding the existing pollinator garden; a loop path that connects the art sculptures in the park; more trees; and replacement of the park’s 40-year-old irrigation system.
“Mesa Verde Park has been in desperate need of an overhaul,” said Parks & Recreation Director Dave Simon. “We’re grateful for this extra support from the federal government and we’re ready to get to work to bring it into the 21st century.”
Mesa Verde Park was constructed in 1980 and since then no significant improvements have been made to the park. It’s located in the City’s International District in the La Mesa neighborhood that has an extremely diverse population, and the park is located next to a community center. The improved outdoor space could help expand programming at the center.
“I want to extend my deepest gratitude to the National Park Service and the team in Parks and Recreation that worked to make this grant award happen,” said City Councilor Nichole Rogers. “Mesa Verde Park is a highly utilized space that deserves to be restored for the community that lives in the surrounding area. I can’t wait to see this project done so we can host more community events here.”
Once the project is initiated, the City anticipates it will take about 20 months to complete. As this still needs to go through further planning and the bidding process, there’s not currently a date set for construction to begin.
The City’s Parks & Recreation Division (PRD) submitted this grant application back in April 2024. This is the second time the PRD has received a grant award from the ORLP program.
The City continues to improve access to parks. Currently 90% of the City’s residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park, trail, or green space. This is in part responsible for the City’s park system ranking 15th in the nation, according to the 2024 ParkScore Index.