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Olive Street Park
Bankers Hill // Brand New Park in Bankers Hill
Olive Street Park, currently under construction in Bankers Hill, is set to transform a once-empty lot at 2772 Third Ave into a beautiful park that will also serve as a poignant memorial for AIDS victims. The history of this park site is deeply rooted; over a century ago, in 1909, the Ford, McKee, and Woods families generously donated the 0.6-acre property to the city for the specific purpose of creating a public park for the community to enjoy.
Despite its noble beginnings, the lot remained largely undeveloped over the years, occasionally serving as a makeshift parking lot for neighboring businesses. However, in 2004, Uptown Planners noticed that the city had listed the lot as surplus property. They quickly raised awareness and sounded the alarm to prevent the sale of the lot.
In 2016, the vision for the park was reignited when then District 3 Council Member Todd Gloria championed an effort to finally bring the park to fruition. Recognizing the importance of commemorating the lives lost to AIDS, Gloria proposed that the park be dedicated as an AIDS memorial, honoring the memory of the 8,000+ San Diegans who have succumbed to the disease.
After navigating through six stages of meticulous planning, design, and overcoming an environmental lawsuit in 2020, Olive Street Park finally broke ground in February 2023. With a budget of $2.3 million, the park is slated to feature a variety of amenities, including a playground structure for children, adult fitness equipment, an expansive grassy area with ADA-compliant pathways for accessibility, and an observation deck that will offer stunning views overlooking picturesque Maple Canyon.
The completion of Olive Street Park in Summer 2024 is eagerly anticipated by the community, as it will not only provide much-needed green space in the heart of Bankers Hill but also stand as a touching tribute to those who have been impacted by AIDS in San Diego.
Sources:
https://www.sandiego.gov/sites/default/files/prbr190516a-item102a.pdf
https://sdnews.com/olive-street-park-plan-draws-scrutiny/