A project nearly two years in the making was completed Tuesday as city leaders and residents gathered to celebrate the opening of Clairemont’s 9.2-acre Olive Grove Community Park.
The $6.6 million accessibility project, which began in September 2024, featured upgrades to the children’s play areas, comfort station and walkways to make them Americans with Disabilities Act compliant.
San Diego City Councilwoman Jennifer Campbell was there to cut the ribbon on the new park, officially opening it to the pubic.
“This park is very popular with this community and used by many San Diego residents, and it was ready for some improvements to enhance the experience for all park visitors,” Campbell said. “Today’s ribbon cutting signifies the full reopening of the new and improved Olive Grove Community Park. The park is now ready to be enjoyed by the neighbors and given the love it deserves by the community.”
Construction also included resurfacing both the parking lot and basketball courts, replacing portions of landscaping and irrigation, adding new trash enclosures and building a new plaza area.
San Diego’s Engineering and Capital Projects Department managed the project, which was funded in part by a $3 million state grant.
“It’s a special day when we can open a renewed space for the community to enjoy,” said Andy Field, director of the city’s Parks and Recreation Department. “These improvements at Olive Grove Community Park were long overdue and we are excited to welcome back the public to a space that will be enjoyed for decades to come.”
Olive Grove Community Park was constructed in 1970 and had been upgraded several times, including a lighting upgrade in 1995 and a playground upgrade in 1998.