As part of the Port of San Diego’s Expanded Access Events, the Port is holding its first of three events at underutilized parks this Saturday, May 18, at Pepper Park in National City from noon to 5 p.m. Rain or shine, the celebration will have performances by local artists and musicians, a Kids Zone, food for purchase from local eateries, and opportunities to shop from local vendors.
Port Commissioner Sandy Naranjo of National City said this event is about expanding the experiences at parks run by the Port. The Port has more than 22 parks that it operates.
“Specifically, why this event is so unique is that this is part of our Expanded Access Program, designed to help activate underutilized parks,” she said. “Our underutilized parks with the Port of San Diego are Pepper Park, Chula Vista’s Bayside Park, and San Diego’s Cesar Chavez Park. This was the result of workshops that we did in the previous year. It is not just about having green space. It is about what we can do with green space. We met with the communities nearby to find out what they would want to see. We held workshops last year and with all the feedback. Because they told us different ideas and concepts, this event on Saturday is the result of that.”
Naranjo said the events at Cesar Chavez Park and Bayside Park are both planned for late June.
“We have a program, Tidelands Activation Program,” she said. “This is part of that program. Expanding Access is specifically designed to underutilized parks. Underutilized parks are usually located in disadvantaged communities. National City is identified as a disadvantaged community. There are a lot of cumulative burdens in National City. Lack of open space, green spaces, high adverse impacts due to the pollution. Expanded access focuses on social economic barriers, but how we provide added access by being more authentic in our approach. The way it was done, engaging with the community, it specifically funds those efforts. I cannot be a one-size-fits-all approach. We are all unique, so Expanded Access specifically looks into communities that have social economic burden and funding an event that helps overcome those barriers.”
At the event, the Kids Zone includes face painting, mini golf, Rad Hatter, a Bubble Experience, arts and crafts, and games.
Pepper Park is at 3299 Tidelands Ave. in National City.
