Petition to Expedite Construction of Waite Drive Park

Recent signers:

The Issue

We, the undersigned residents, taxpayers, and community members of La Mesa, respectfully request that the City Council take immediate action to prioritize and expedite the construction of the planned park at Waite Drive.

Since 2012, residents have anticipated the development of this park as a valuable community asset that will provide recreational opportunities, open space, and a gathering place for families, children, seniors, and individuals with disabilities. Despite broad community support, progress has been significantly delayed, leaving an important neighborhood need unmet.

We believe the completion of Waite Drive Park should be treated as a priority because:

The surrounding community remains underserved by accessible neighborhood park space.
Residents have waited over a decade for the project to move from planning to construction.
The park would provide recreational, health, and quality-of-life benefits for local families.
Delays continue to increase project costs and postpone community benefits.
The project has already received substantial public attention and support.
Accessibility features, including convenient ADA access, should remain a priority throughout project development.
The City has demonstrated the ability to fund and complete other important capital projects and should commit the necessary resources to move this project forward.

Therefore, we respectfully request that the La Mesa City Council:

Establish and publicly announce a firm timeline for construction and completion.
Identify and allocate the funding necessary to begin construction as soon as possible.
Provide regular public updates regarding project status and milestones.
Preserve meaningful accessibility features and community-focused design elements.
Make Waite Drive Park a high-priority project within the City’s capital improvement program.

Our community has waited long enough. We urge the City Council to take decisive action to ensure that Waite Drive Park becomes a reality without further unnecessary delay.

La Mesa community members and neighbors! Please help spread the word and importance of getting this park the prioritization it deserves. Sign and share this petition! Thank you!!

Vaughn RiosPetition StarterI am a long time La Mesa resident and new father. I strongly believe in mental health and well-being for all.

Media inquiries

293

Let’s get to 500 signatures!

Petitions with 1,000+ supporters are 5x more likely to win!

Recent signers:

The Issue

We believe the completion of Waite Drive Park should be treated as a priority because:

The surrounding community remains underserved by accessible neighborhood park space.
Residents have waited over a decade for the project to move from planning to construction.
The park would provide recreational, health, and quality-of-life benefits for local families.
Delays continue to increase project costs and postpone community benefits.
The project has already received substantial public attention and support.
Accessibility features, including convenient ADA access, should remain a priority throughout project development.
The City has demonstrated the ability to fund and complete other important capital projects and should commit the necessary resources to move this project forward.

Therefore, we respectfully request that the La Mesa City Council:

Establish and publicly announce a firm timeline for construction and completion.
Identify and allocate the funding necessary to begin construction as soon as possible.
Provide regular public updates regarding project status and milestones.
Preserve meaningful accessibility features and community-focused design elements.
Make Waite Drive Park a high-priority project within the City’s capital improvement program.

Our community has waited long enough. We urge the City Council to take decisive action to ensure that Waite Drive Park becomes a reality without further unnecessary delay.

La Mesa community members and neighbors! Please help spread the word and importance of getting this park the prioritization it deserves. Sign and share this petition! Thank you!!

Vaughn RiosPetition StarterI am a long time La Mesa resident and new father. I strongly believe in mental health and well-being for all.

Media inquiries

142 people signed this week

293

Let’s get to 500 signatures!

Petitions with 1,000+ supporters are 5x more likely to win!

The Decision Makers

City of La Mesa

Responded

“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.”

City of La Mesa

Responded