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Activating Chollas Creek through Art & Sustainable Design

Chollas Creek is a natural watershed that has been both an asset and a challenge for District 4 neighborhoods. Over the years, we’ve heard fond memories from long-time residents who remember the amenities associated with having a clean and healthy creek.

But over the last several decades, illegal dumping, construction, and neglect have led to Chollas Creek being identified as an “impaired” water body by the Environmental Protection Agency. Uncontrolled growth of weeds and invasive plants, along with trash, has destroyed much of the original creek habitat and wildlife.

In an effort to bring our creek back to life, the Jacobs Center has been working with nonprofits in the Diamond Neighborhood, community residents, and private and public agencies for over a decade to clean, strengthen, and enhance our natural waterway as a place where our community can once again safely explore and enjoy nature.

With support and funding from the State of California and City of San Diego, we are very excited to announce that we will begin work on the Northwest Village portion of Chollas Creek this summer, transforming our creek from a drainage channel into a vibrant neighborhood river park with open, safe, active, and healthy green spaces.

The enhancement project includes plans for structural and engineering modifications to prevent flooding and erosion, replacement of invasive plants with native vegetation, and construction of lighted walking trails with benches and educational signage.

Under a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, we have been working with landscape architects and artists to create conceptual  designs for public art, solar lighting, and other visual enhancements. Jacobs has also applied for additional funding from the state to create an outlook deck and a footbridge connecting Guymon Street with ADA-compliant trails surrounding the creek.

The proposed site plan and design overview for the Activating Chollas Creek enhancement project will be open for public viewing and feedback from May 15-31, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. at the Jacobs Center lobby.

For more information, please email info@JacobsCenter.org