Heritage County Park Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the park?

Heritage County Park is a 7.8 acre urban park located at 2454 Heritage Park Row just off of Juan Street in the heart of Old Town.

What is the history of the park?

In 1971, the County purchased the site at the corner of Juan and Harney Streets for the purpose of creating an 1880s-style Victorian Preserve. The buildings here were moved from the Bankers Hill area in the 1970s and early 1980s. Heritage County Park highlights and serves as a monument to the transition between the Spanish-Mexican-early American periods and the modern City of San Diego.

Why is there construction fencing around park buildings?

The County of San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) is undertaking the renovation of four of the existing buildings in Heritage County Park to be overnight accommodations, and to improve the public restrooms and  interpretive center in Senlis Cottage.

What is the scope of this construction project?

The project will renovate the interiors of four of the existing buildings in the park to provide overnight accommodations, including 22 hotel rooms, and a reception area with a lounge and parlor. These buildings include the Sherman-Gilbert House, Bushyhead House, Christian House, and Burton House. The public restrooms and the interpretive center in the Senlis Cottage will be renovated as well.

The Coral Tree Tea House will remain and continue to be operated independently. Temple Beth Israel also will remain open.

What is the schedule for this project?

The interior renovations began in July 2026 and we anticipate that the project will take approximately eighteen months to complete.

Why is the County doing this project?

On June 29, 2021, the County Board of Supervisors directed DPR to launch a project to add overnight accommodations to the park by restoring the interiors of the Victorian-era houses, and to explore other recreational enhancements for public use.

DPR has been working on designing and permitting the project since then. The first phase, garden enhancements at the upper lawn area, is now complete, and the second phase has begun construction as of July, 2026.

Will any new buildings be added to the park?

No new buildings will be added, however, there will be improvements to existing buildings to allow for overnight accommodations.

How many overnight rooms will be created as part of this project?

The project will create 22 guest rooms distributed among four buildings, and a reception area with a lounge and parlor.

How will noise be monitored in the park and during construction?

Park staff currently monitor and meter noise during events and actively enforce the City’s noise ordinance. This practice will be continued once the project is complete.

The construction project may include some operations that are noisier than normal use in the park, however, the contractor is restricted by the City and County noise regulations to keep noise levels at park boundaries below 75 decibels (dBA) Equivalent Continuous Sound Levels (leq), time-averaged.

For concerns regarding construction noise, please contact Park Project Manager, Amy Hoffman (amy.hoffman1@sdcounty.ca.gov).

How will parking be affected?

On-site parking at Heritage County Park will be limited to employees only during the week. The Heritage County Park public parking lots at the corner of Juan Street and Harney Street will remain available for use. Most of the on-site parking lot will be available for public use on weekends.

The overnight accommodations will make use of the park’s existing 64 spaces, on-site and in the lots at Juan and Harney Streets.

Are the buildings protected under historic preservation?

The exterior of the Sherman-Gilbert House is protected under the city’s Register of Historic Resources. The County does not intend to make significant changes to the exteriors of the buildings other than changes required by code.

How will the insides of the buildings be changed?

The project will create boutique hotel rooms with furnishings and finishes that are Victorian-inspired to compliment the architecture of the houses, stylish, comfortable, durable, and easy to maintain. Original stained glass, woodwork banisters, pocket doors, and fireplaces will be retained and refurbished, and hardware will be salvaged and reused where possible.

Didn’t the County start to renovate these buildings years ago?

There was a past effort to renovate these buildings by a third party in the early 2000s. The County is now managing and leading the process from start to finish.

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Who will operate the overnight accommodations?

We are currently negotiating a lease with Old Town Trolley Tours, the company chosen through an RFP process. Once the project is complete, the operator will manage the hotel and event spaces.

The Coral Tree Tea House will remain and continue to be operated independently.

Will we have to pay to use the park?

DPR does not charge day-use fees at this park. All outdoor spaces, Temple Beth Israel, and the public restrooms in Senlis Cottage will remain open to the public as they are today.

Those who wish to book an event at Temple Beth Israel, the outdoor classroom, or the wedding gazebo can contact Supervising Ranger Hannah Shipley at Hannah.shipley@sdcounty.ca.gov for prices and information.

Guests who wish to book overnight accommodations (once available) will be able to do so for a reservation fee. Details are not yet determined but will be posted to sdparks.org.

The Coral Tree Teahouse has a lease with the County for the McConaughy House, so this building is operated as a separate business.

What have you done for public outreach in this process?

The County held public meetings, both virtually and in-person, at the beginning of the design process in 2021 and 2022 to introduce the project and gather feedback. An online survey was posted to gather additional feedback.

What amenities will be built at the new park?

Four currently unused buildings will be renovated to allow for overnight accommodations, and the public restrooms and interpretive center in Senlis Cottage will also be updated.

DPR recently finished construction of garden enhancements at the upper lawn, including a new wedding gazebo, an outdoor classroom seating area, ADA accessible walkways with safety lighting, and a drinking fountain.

What types of education and outreach programs will be offered?

The park hosts occasional historical walking tours, Summer Movies in the Park events, and other events such as Pages in the Park.

Will there be restrooms?

There are existing public restrooms in Senlis Cottage, and they will be upgraded as part of this project.

Will this project include improvements to the trails within the park boundaries?

No, this project’s scope does not include improvements to the trails.

Where can I get more information on the park and how can I stay informed about this project?

The best way to stay informed is to regularly visite the Heritage Park Webpage.

Park comments and questions may be sent via email to Park Project Manager, Amy Hoffman at amy.hoffman1@sdcounty.ca.gov.