SDSU Mission Valley River Park Open to Public

The park is available for recreation with a grand opening to follow in the spring.

Tuesday, December 12, 2023
A young parkgoer hanging out on one of the structures in the play area. (SDSU)
A young parkgoer hanging out on one of the structures in the play area. (SDSU)

Marking another major milestone in San Diego State University’s (SDSU) Mission Valley development the university held a soft opening Saturday for the brand new River Park located at SDSU Mission Valley.

Attendees were able to get a first look at the completed 34-acre river park, which features multi-use recreational fields, more than four miles of walking and biking trails, a children’s play area, a fitness area and more. 

Beyond the recreational facilities, the park is expected to become a hub for community engagement, fostering a sense of connection and well-being with restored native habitats that invite local flora and fauna back into the ecosystem.

Although the park is now accessible to the public, the official grand opening is scheduled for spring 2024. This timing aligns with the anticipated completion of additional park and open space areas currently undergoing construction along Murphy Canyon Creek, parallel to Interstate 15.

This phased approach underscores SDSU's commitment to delivering a fully realized and integrated recreational environment to the community. Its completion will also fulfill the university’s promise to develop a river park before beginning vertical development.

Last month’s approval by the California State University (CSU) Board of Trustees for the initial affordable housing and residential and retail projects will also continue to transform the site, as well as the first Innovation District project, which is planned to go before the CSU Board of Trustees in 2024. The innovation district signifies the university's forward-thinking approach, aiming to create a dynamic and cutting-edge environment that fosters research, collaboration, and innovation. 

The development for the park began in April 2022 with a groundbreaking by SDSU President Adela de la Torre and other local leaders.

For more information about SDSU Mission Valley, visit the SDSU Mission Valley website or on Instagram and Facebook where regular updates on the park construction progress are provided.

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