Efforts to develop a bike and pedestrian trail along Chollas Creek linking Southeastern San Diego neighborhoods to the Bayshore Bikeway and the 32nd Street trolley station recently received a push forward with funding for trail design and environmental review.
The $541,000 grant – funded jointly by the County of San Diego and SANDAG’s Active Transportation Grant program – is enabling Groundwork San Diego to engage residents, businesses, and government stakeholders in the design of the trail route, which will combine dedicated paths and sections shared with local traffic.
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“We are so pleased to support this connection to San Diego Bay for thousands of Chollas Creek Watershed residents,” said County Supervisor Greg Cox, who is also chair of the SANDAG Bayshore Bikeway Working group. “We want to give all San Diegans access to this beautiful 24-mile trail.”
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The bikeway is part of the City-approved Chollas Creek Enhancement Program, a vision document for transforming the natural resources of Chollas Creek into a fully-functioning waterway connecting parks, trails, and neighborhoods along its 12 linear miles. In addition to giving bicyclists and pedestrians a way to get to the area near 32nd Street and Harbor Drive, it will give them a chance to experience the natural environment along the creek.
“The section running west where the trail leaves traffic at the creek’s freeway overpass is influenced by the tides and has a variety of wildlife,” said Lara Gates, City Planner for the Encanto, Southeastern, and Barrio Logan communities. “It will include many viewing opportunities of these wonderful natural areas, and will connect important communities to transportation, and to each other.”
Meetings are being held with the Southeastern Planning Group, local schools, neighborhood organizations and interested residents and business owners along the route. A preferred route will be recommended after completion of preliminary traffic and environmental studies.
“Our team has been meeting with scores of residents, planning group members, property owners, and representatives from the Navy, the City, SANDAG, and Caltrans to figure out the safest, most efficient, and most enjoyable route for our residents in Mountain View, Southcrest, Shelltown and ultimately Encanto to walk or bike to the bayfront and trolley stop,” said Leslie Reynolds, Executive Director for Groundwork San Diego.
The bikeway will run from Southcrest Trails Park on a dedicated path along the creek that goes under the Interstate 15 bridge to Rigel Street. From there it transitions to a bike lane shared with local traffic. The next section, along Main Street will include a dedicated lane for cyclists separated from traffic. The trail will then travel along a pristine section of Chollas Creek down to Norman Scott Street, and then to Harbor Drive.
The proposed bikeway has been included in many plans throughout the years, from the Barrio Logan draft community plan to the 2002 Chollas Creek Enhancement Program. SANDAG calls it a “critical connection … for everyday non-motorized travel” between Southeastern San Diego, Barrio Logan, the bayfront and downtown.”
To inform area residents about the bikeway, Groundwork will host “Cycle Southcrest” on Saturday, June 7 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. The free community event will take place at Southcrest Recreation Center at 4149 Newton Ave, San Diego, CA 92113. Festivities will include announcements about the project, food and drink, bike education and giveaways, a bike rodeo and a supervised bike ride. For more information about the event, call (619) 543-0430 or visit http://groundworksandiego.org/.
Event and planning partners include SANDAG, Odale Baker of the Major Taylor Cycling Club, United States Navy, City of San Diego Parks and Recreation, San Diego Bicycle Coalition, JLC Consultants, Congressman Juan Vargas, Assemblymember Gonzalez, Senator Ben Hueso, Trustee Marne Foster, and Councilmembers Alvarez and Emerald.
About Groundwork San Diego-Chollas Creek
Groundwork San Diego-Chollas Creek is an independent non-profit business that strives to improve the environment, economy and quality of life in Southeast San Diego. Groundwork works in partnership with the City of San Diego and with the assistance of volunteers, communities and businesses to restore creeks and open spaces, provide educational outreach on water conservation and climate change issues. For more information or to get involved, please call (619) 543-0430 or visit GroundworkSanDiego.org.