City of La Mesa

The City has been actively working toward developing Waite Drive Park for several years. Since the adoption of the City’s Park In‑Lieu and Park Impact Fees in 2005, La Mesa has collected a cumulative total of $3,169,542. These fees have supported several park projects, but the fee amounts have not been updated since 2005, even as the cost of acquiring and developing parks has risen significantly. Because these revenues accumulate gradually as new development occurs, the City used multiple years of collected fees to purchase the Waite Drive property from the County of San Diego between 2012 and 2016. Securing the site demonstrated the City’s long‑term commitment to creating a neighborhood park, even amid long-standing funding constraints. On April 14, 2026, the City Council directed staff to update the park impact fees.

In 2021, the City received State funding to create a master plan for the park, which launched an extensive public engagement process. Between March and September 2022, the City hosted virtual and in‑person workshops, conducted surveys, and led a site tour to gather community input and refine design options. The resulting draft master plan was reviewed by the Community Services Commission in late 2022 and early 2023 and presented to the City Council in January 2023.

The City then completed the required environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act, with opportunities for public comment. The Final Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration and the Master Plan were approved by the City Council on October 10, 2023. Additional environmental site work was completed in February 2025, and construction documents are currently in development, with a targeted completion date of summer 2026.

While the City has funded the acquisition, environmental review, and design phases, grant funding is essential for construction. The City is preparing for the next round of the Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program (SPP), a competitive State grant focused on creating new parks. The grant is anticipated to open in late summer, with awards expected in early 2027.

The SPP application will require additional community engagement. As soon as the State provides direction on application requirements, the City will share information about upcoming outreach opportunities and events related to Waite Drive Park.

More information about the project is available at:

https://cityoflamesa.gov/1693/Future-Park-at-Waite-Drive

Thank you again to all community members who have expressed their support for this project.