Learn about current park closures and updates.
The County of San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) works everyday to balance recreation opportunity with efforts to protect and preserve our land and cultural resources.
It's our belief that our individual talents, perspectives and experiences - pooled together - make us better thinkers, decision-makers and purveyors of public land. Our diverse tree, plant, animal and insect species allow us to thrive past burdens caused by extreme weather and invasive pests. Our ability to step back, ask questions and to be flexible in how we respond to customer inquiries allows us to be better park ambassadors, embodying the County's motto: The noblest motive is the public good.
Maintaining a diverse and inclusive workforce, and diverse and inclusive park offerings, is a top priority for DPR. As such, we have a team of dedicated Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) Champions who meet once a month to review current and future projects - keeping us on track to bring better and more comprehensive amenities, programs and services to the San Diego community.
The County of San Diego is committed to building a region that is Building Better Health, Living Safely, and Thriving. Our commitment to valuing diversity and practicing inclusion advances this vision and exemplifies our values of Integrity, Stewardship and a Commitment to excellence.
Learn more about the County's Statement of Values and Strategic Plan for Diversity and Inclusion.
DIVERSITY: The range of human differences; recognizing that each person has layers of diversity, which together make his or her perspective unique and essential to the success of the organization. Differences include but are not limited to personality, age, life experience, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic class, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, ability and religion.
INCLUSION: Actively and intentionally valuing multiple layers of human differences and viewing such differences as strengths. Inclusion is the degree to which employees and customers of all identities are able to be authentic and feel safe and respected.
Have you ever completed a 31-Day Challenge? Our friends in the County's Live Well team have planned a very special version which highlights dozens of free fitness activities at parks and recreation facilities across San Diego, leading up to 5K fun run on July 28. County Parks will be hosting 10 of those events, in partnership with five of the County's employee resource groups. Learn more on our Facebook page, and check back later for photos!
We’re celebrating Memorial Day Weekend with an unforgettable hike to the top of El Cajon Mountain. The Warrior Hike Challenge is designed to impress and test the mettle of, our local military heroes, their families and friends. We've split the intense 12-mile hike into three heats - BOOT CAMP, RECON and WARRIOR - so participants can hike to the best of their ability with the comfort of rest stops, water and snacks. Join us at El Capitan County Preserve Saturday, May 25 at 7 a.m.! All ages are welcome and there is no cost to attend. Learn more.
Dec. 31, 2018
Earlier this year, County Parks removed an outdated preschool playground to make room for an inclusive play space - patented by Park Project Manager Brad Roberts called - called Hop, Shuffle & Roll. The innovative surfacing game encourages children of all abilities to be physically active, and to have fun playing together - whether they are fully able-bodied or require some type of assistance. Children learn numbers, counting and months of the year while fine-tuning balance, agility, motor and social skills. This is the second Hop, Shuffle & Roll installation at a County Park - the other was installed at Collier County Park in 2015.
July 7, 2017
Nestled under the mature trees of Live Oak County Park sits a new ADA-accessible walkway and picnic area – open to parkgoers of all ages and abilities, at one of Fallbrook’s most popular gathering spaces. Visitors now have a clear and easy path from the parking lot to the tables. And, in an effort to balance recreation with efforts to protect and preserve local wildlife, County Parks placed decomposed granite on top of the existing surface to minimize damage to the parks environmentally-sensitive oak woodland. These adjustments are maintaining the natural beauty of the park, while improving visitor access and opportunity.
Old Ironsides County Park got a bit of a facelift this year; inclusive playground and fitness equipment have taken over an area that once housed a dilapidated play structure. In addition to the new amenities, County Parks made additional ADA upgrades including the installation of flat, paved paths (a challenge, given the previous topography) and ADA-accessible parking. The project is a win for El Cajon residents of all ages and abilities, and a welcome improvement to recreation opportunities on site.
