Compact soccer field will now be the newest addition to Harborside Park

CHULA VISTA, Calif. – The city of Chula Vista discussed the future of the restored Harborside Park Tuesday night after nearly 2 years of it being shut down. Part of that future now includes a compact soccer field.

There has been a lot of back-and-forth surrounding Harborside Park since its closure in 2022. However, after approving a resolution to adopt a grant agreement with support from the U.S. Soccer Foundation, the South Bay has a better idea of what’s in store for its grand reopening in the fall.

“My main concern is the safety,” said Leticia Laras, a mom and Chula Vista resident of 18 years, when commenting on Harborside Park. Though once known for its growing homeless population and crime, the park is now under construction.

“The homeless camp happened during the pandemic, so no one was using the park,” Laras said. “But now, when they’re going to reopen, we will be using the park.”

On Tuesday, the city council approved a new addition to Harborside: a mini soccer field funded in part by a grant from the U.S. Soccer Foundation and donations from hometown professional Paul Arriola.

“We’re just so excited that he wanted to come back and improve the quality of life, especially for soccer in Chula Vista,” said Mayor John McCann.

While the city will pay $160,000 in preparations for the field, the grant will provide up to $100,000 to help make this rendering a reality.

“It is something that is part of our culture and that is something that is highly, highly needed,” Laras added.

Alonzo Rios, who works at a window and door business just across the street, recalled the crime in peak pandemic years, a time where he says his business suffered.

“I was here when the homeless were in the park, invading the park,” Rios said. “There were a lot of drugs, a lot of vandalism.”

Mayor McCann said the park will now have better lighting, fencing, and security cameras to prevent the issues that led to its original closure in the summer of 2022.

When asked about safety measures the city will take with Harborside Park, Mayor McCann mentioned his plans to enact a homeless encampment ban. The council will discuss the matter next month.

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