Make your reservations early to secure a gazebo or park picnic area for this summer in Chula Vista.
“We have 60 parks,” said city of Chula Vista principal recreation manager, Gil Contreras.
“There are 88 different reservation areas. Rohr Park is very popular.”
Reservations can be made online and are on a first come, first served basis. Or, go to building C at the city hall complex. Contreras said fees have gone up slightly starting in the summer.
Questions to address before you make a reservation for a picnic area or gazebo include knowing the number of people will attend and filling out a special park use form.
If you plan on having a vendor at your event such as an air jumper for kids, the list of approved vendors is online. Pony rides currently have two approved vendors – My Little Pony Rides and San Diego Horse Rentals.
Other types of vendors include Upshot Archery and Out of Control Gaming – Mobile Video Gaming Theater.
“We are getting a bit more requests for game trucks,” said Contreras. The game trucks offer video games on-the-go.
The process for getting on the vendor approved list for Chula Vista was quick for one Chula Vista resident.
“The day after we got approved (as a vendor), we got a call,” said Out of Control Gaming owner, Jun Riven, of Chula Vista. “I got on the approved vendor list two weeks ago. It took two weeks to get approved.” Riven submitted proof of insurance and a business license as part of the process.
“They (the kids) don’t want birthday cake after they get in the trailer for Fortnite,” said Riven on how his business is received at birthday parties.
The reservation process is straight forward.
Lawn/open park areas are on a first come, first served basis. Picnic areas/small gazebos for 1-50 people, with the new 2019 summer fees, will be $75 for a resident with a $100 deposit.
Medium gazebos for 50-100 people are $150 for a resident and a large gazebo, up to 200 people, will be $300 for a resident.
Applicants must be at least 18-years-old. The reservation covers from opening, 7 am. to closing, 10 p.m.
A reservation is required if alcohol will be consumed at these parks: Eucalyptus, Friendship, Harborside, Lauderbach, Memorial, Orange, Rienstra, and SDG&E East and West. Alcohol is prohibited at J Street Marina, Marina View, and Bayside Parks without a Port of San Diego special event permit. No kegs or glass containers are allowed.
Cheryl’s Place at Montevalle Recreation Center contains specially designed playground equipment for children in wheelchairs.
According to Contreras as new parks are developed in other regions, ADA accessible equipment is being added and becoming more common.
A splash pad is available at select parks. It allows kids to interact on a rubber mat with water that is activated by a button.
For sports fields—view the Parks Field Management Report online to see what the condition of the field is, if the status change has been downgraded, or when they performed airfying and fertilizing.
An interactive parks and recreation map will indicate if a barbecue grill, play equipment, restrooms, a swimming pool, or other features are offered.
Chula Vista has nearly 560 acres of park land.
“We want to encourage everyone to reserve early for this summer and through-out the year,” said Chula Vista councilmember Jill Galvez.
Galvez stated that if a constituent has any difficulty with the process, they can contact her via email. She also encourages anyone who is having trouble making a reservation to contact their council member in their particular district.
