Play Your Park Out

Olympus Park ~ Encinitas

The new 3.1-acre neighborhood park on the southeast corner of Piraeus and Olympus was created and labeled as a passive-use park. Passive-use parks are self-managed, designed for a smaller population, and important to note with smaller kiddos, there are no designated parking or public restrooms. However, if you’re looking for a shady place to hang out, the construction included the planting of 76 new trees.  The park offers a great place to run in the open grass and get the kiddos energy out, bring a frisbee or ball, plan a picnic or simply enjoy a shady walk.

“According to TPL.org, 67% of Encinitas residents live within a 10-minute walk to a green space or park, while the national average is 55%. (The Encinitas figure will go up once Olympus Park is factored.)”

The New Park Includes:

Playgrounds with Whimsical Play Structures

Dog Park

Zipline Area

Sports Court for Basketball & Pickleball (My personal favorite feature!)

Small Skate Element

Pump Track for Bikes, Skateboards & Scooters

Walking Paths

Gazebo

Botanical Gardens

Address:

701 Olympus Street

Encinitas, CA 92024

Buena Vista Reservoir Park ~ Carlsbad

If you’re not a Carlsbad local who’s familiar with the history, this reservoir was built in 1918 and first supplied water to all of the surrounding farms and fields for local avocado orchards. The city acquired the site in 1952, and shortly after stopped operating in 1960, when the Elm Reservoir was built and took over all of the needs.

In 2014, the city proposed selling the property to…you guessed it, a housing developer. Neighbors fought and fought to oppose the sale, asking them to consider a park instead. 

Eventually, after three civic groups and more than 100 people sounded out, they ended the multi-year push to stop the parcel from being developed and Lennar Homes, a nationwide housing developer, built the park under specific agreements with the City Council. Park construction was a condition of its approval for a 123-home project near the intersection of Poinsettia Lane and El Camino Real.

The 3.1 Acre Park Includes:

Children’s Play Area

Loop Trail Around Park

Picnic Areas & Benches

Enhanced, Water-Wise Landscaping

11 New Parallel Parking Spots

Beautiful, Ocean Views

Historic Water Tank

Address:

1605 Buena Vista Way

Carlsbad, CA 92008

El Corazon Aquatics Center ~ Oceanside

A little different from your traditional neighborhood park, but no less entertaining…El Corazon Aquatics Center is the City of Oceanside’s first ever world-class aquatics center that will provide competition-level amenities.

Local swim clubs, water polo teams, and high school swim teams have been training at the center daily as part of a soft opening, which gave the city’s staff an opportunity to dial in all of the new systems before the crowds arrive. 

Whether you’re swimming 50-meter laps to train for the Olympics, showing off your latest dance moves in water aerobics class, or taking the kids to the splash pad…there is truly an option for everyone.

The New Aquatics Center Includes:

56-Meter Competition Pool w/ Diving Boards

Spectator Seating

Locker Rooms & Family Changing Rooms

Warm-Water Therapy Pool

Splash Pad for Kids

Shade Structures

Concession/Snack Area

Multi-Purpose Events Center

Lifeguard/Staff Offices

Drop-in fees are only $5 for adults, $3 for children and $2 for spectators. For locals, they are offering individual annual memberships. You can find more information on that at www.ci.oceanside.ca.us.

Address:

3306 Senior Center Drive

Oceanside, CA 92056

For more parks in your area visit: https://www.sdparks.org/content/sdparks/en/parklist.html