The expanded Civita Park is complete and has opened to the public, adding approximately four acres of colorful playgrounds, game areas, ornamental gardens and open lawns to the 14.3-acre park. (Per the San Diego County public health order in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the park is open for passive use only and the playgrounds remain closed).
Highlights include:
• Two playgrounds, one for children 2-5 and the other for kids 5-12. In addition to traditional playground equipment, the playgrounds include rock-climbing walls, giant tree trunks set horizontally, rope bridges, swings and spinners;
• A shaded picnic grove and family restrooms near the playgrounds;
• The Mining Relics Garden, which showcases preserved mining equipment that was used when the Civita Park site was operated as a quarry;
• “Lookout Meadow,” an event pavilion with a landmark shade structure that mimics the design of the Civita amphitheater. It’s ideal for group events, such as weddings, birthday parties or small concerts, and can be reserved.
• The Frame, an Instagram-worthy, 10-foot-high structure located in Lookout Meadow.
• A quiet garden zone where visitors can stroll through a scent garden, succulent garden and winged garden
• A regulation-size bocce court adjacent to a supersize picnic table and game tables.

“We’re excited to replace a barren quarry with a beautiful park that will be enjoyed for many generations,” said Marco Sessa, senior vice president of Sudberry Properties. “It was important to the Grant family that Civita be designed around a central, unifying park,” he said. “We are proud to have implemented their vision in a way that benefits the entire region.”

Planning continues on three additional parks in Civita: Creekside Park, Franklin Ridge Park and Phyllis Place Park. When complete, the 230-acre community of Civita will contain 60 acres of public parks, open space and trails.