Shores Park Plans Progress
- Joe Sullivan | Ocean Front
A master planning effort to renovate Shores Park—bordered by Camino Del Mar, 9th Street, and Stratford Court—has resumed with the appointment of a citizen advisory committee and a new contract with Schmidt Design Group. The 5.3-acre site was acquired in 2008 through a combination of community fundraising, prepaid rent from The Winston School, and proceeds from the sale of an open-space lot on Balboa Avenue.
Between 2015 and 2018, the City conducted extensive outreach to identify community priorities for the future park. That process paused in 2018 due to shifting City priorities, budget constraints, and a dispute with The Winston School. That dispute has since been resolved, and the private, nonprofit school is now moving forward with redevelopment plans under its revised lease that ends in 2062.
With planning back underway, the City Council has adopted guiding principles and a prioritized list of amenities based on the earlier public input. The challenge now is to accommodate a wide range of community needs on a relatively small and sloped site, with an elevation drop from east to west.
Under the terms of its lease, The Winston School requires a playing field and a full-size basketball court. These facilities will be available for public use during non-school hours. In addition, the Council has asked the design team to explore the possible relocation of the historic Alvarado House to the site, along with a new or expanded community building. A dedicated grassy area for off-leash dogs is also under consideration. Currently, dogs share the playing field on a limited schedule, which can restrict access for organized youth sports such as Little League.
The design team’s task is to balance these competing uses while creating a cohesive and welcoming public space. With continued public input, a recommended master plan is expected to be presented to the City Council this fall.
Residents are encouraged to follow the process and participate in upcoming advisory committee meetings as plans for Shores Park take shape.