Construction is underway to expand and upgrade the Wangenheim Joint-Use Park located on Gold Coast Drive in Mira Mesa. This $9.6 million project, in partnership with the San Diego Unified School District, will provide an approximately 4-acre expansion to the existing joint-use park at Wangenheim Middle School.

“This joint-use park is a great representation of what San Diego is all about: working together to get things done,” Mayor Todd Gloria said. “This continuously growing partnership between the City and the San Diego Unified School District will provide new community spaces for residents to enjoy and help students across the city grow.”

The expanded Wangenheim Joint-Use Park will feature a new multi-purpose grass field with room for both soccer and baseball fields, bleachers, decomposed granite walking trails, concrete sidewalks and walkways, a snack bar and comfort station, picnic tables, energy-efficient lighting, drought-tolerant landscaping and a water-efficient irrigation system. In addition to fencing and gates around the park, screening trees will be planted along the perimeter to help block light pollution during nighttime sporting events.  

A parking lot will be added at the end of Flanders Drive, the traffic signals at the existing intersection of Black Mountain Road will be modified and curb ramps and sidewalks that facilitate access for all users will be installed. The project will also improve a segment of Black Mountain Road and a portion of Flanders Drive. This work is expected to be completed in spring 2023.

“San Diegans treasure our outdoor spaces, and the Wangenheim Joint-Use Park in Mira Mesa is one of those public areas in need of some much-needed attention,” said City Councilmember Chris Cate. “Today’s groundbreaking at Wangenheim Joint-Use Park is a happy occasion for Mira Mesa families, students and residents who will soon have access to an updated, multi-use park right in their neighborhood.”

The City and San Diego Unified have been cooperating in the joint use of numerous recreational facilities since 1948. Through the Play All Day Parks Program, there are now 87 joint-use parks with another 24 joint-use sites planned, making it one of the country’s most extensive joint-use programs. This partnership helps increase the amount of park land and recreational opportunities for public use, especially in urban communities without much vacant land.

Under these joint-use park agreements, San Diego Unified School District retains the land while receiving assistance maintaining the joint-use sites, which are used exclusively by students during school hours and are opened for residents after the school day ends and during school breaks.

“Our families and neighbors in Mira Mesa, and all neighborhoods within the city, need more park spaces so that students, families and the community could get outdoors to stay healthy and play,” said Sabrina Bazzo, Board of Education Vice President for San Diego Unified. “I’m thrilled that more outdoor play space is coming to Wangenheim Middle School through the Play All Day Partnership.”