If you’re one of the 15 million people who has visited Mission Bay in the last year, you know what a special place it is for the region. City leaders and planners decades ago envisioned the Bay as a system of Parks Within a Park to take advantage of the size and varied resources offered, and to create distinctive recreation areas. (See the Mission Bay Master Plan). Central to the Parks Within a Park vision was the consolidation of natural resources in the DeAnza Cove area, and the preservation of wetlands. 

Newer entertainment and recreational offerings have come at a cost to the historic natural resources. Today, Mission Bay’s Kendall Frost Reserve in the northeast quadrant of the Park, hosts 40 acres of tidal wetlands, a mere one percent of the 4,000-acre complex that existed historically. This small remnant is fenced with controlled access for preservation purposes but is home to 154 species of native birds that frequent the marsh, as well as fish, reptiles, and crabs and other invertebrates, all depending on this small wetland for survival. 

DEANZA COVE PLANNING AND REWILD

City leaders in December 2015 launched an initiative to plan for the long-term future of DeAnza Cove (an amendment to the Mission Bay Master Plan). For no fewer than three years, the City sought community input on the redevelopment of DeAnza Cove while taking into consideration major goals of the Mission Bay Master Plan such as the restoration and creation of additional wetlands, and the Parks Within a Park concept. As of Summer 2019, the plan has not been completed, although three alternate land use proposals were developed. Critical to these land use plans is integrating the vision for the Mission Bay Master Plan, and chief among these is the restoration of wetlands.

Enter San Diego Audubon Society with their long term vision for wetland restoration in the northeast corner of the Bay– ReWild Mission Bay – to provide opportunities for plants, animals, and neighbors to thrive, and survive as our climate warms and water levels rise. The plan includes access points to invite in the public to enjoy the nature in our collective backyard. Where the City’s plan alternatives offer some options for wetland restoration, ReWild offers a larger restored wetlands area. 

C-3 COLLABORATION

Our collective goal? To ensure the city gives ReWild a deliberative and serious hearing as part of any long-term plan for DeAnza Cove that accommodates projected sea level rise and considers both community resources and coastal dependent land uses for the long-term success of the Bay.

In Fall 2018, C-3 hosted a Breakfast Dialogue on the topic of ecotourism to explore the long-term development of Mission Bay. That led us to begin a partnership in early 2019 with the San Diego Audubon Society, UCSD Natural Reserve System, and Scripps Institute of Oceanography.  We urged the City to pause the planning process and ensure that a robust restoration of wetlands is considered in addition to improving recreational opportunities and developments. This effort has been in major support of the ReWild vision with the goal of creating new and unique recreation experiences for all San Diegans and tourists alike, with trails, vistas, peaceful fishing spots, non-motorized boat access, and plenty of space for camping and the fields and grass that the community uses and has prioritized.

GET INVOLVED!

Join our advocacy efforts by attending an upcoming Mission Bay Advocacy Meeting.
Redevelopment of the northeast corner of Mission Bay provides the San Diego region with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to leave a legacy of restored wetlands, economic vitality, sea level rise adaptation, and access to a unique regional recreational asset and shoreline for everyone. Encourage the city to slow down and listen to the public’s opinions about water quality improvements, enhancing wetlands, and access to our public park shoreline for all.

Contact KAN Co-Chair Kristen Victor

IN THE NEWS

KUSI: "ReWild Mission Bay Event"

KPBS: "San Diego City Council Renews Campland Lease, Approves Expansion into DeAnza Cove" 

San Diego Audubon: "2019 Love Your Wetlands Day - Hundreds gathered to enjoy the rare opportunity to explore Mission Bay's wetlands"