Grand Opening of San Vicente Park Celebration

Almost 150 guests gathered to experience the Grand Opening of San Vicente Park last Saturday evening. This event, designed to foster community engagement and celebrate our shared commitment to environmental sustainability, included several elements to ensure the participants learned the project background and celebrated with others.

An Inspiring Opening: 

SDCEA Board President Jeffrey Wells started the ceremony and spoke about the community and the project as a neighborhood amenity and enhancement. General Manager Darren Shaw walked through the project details and the work done by the project visionary, Landscape Manager Nancy Zadrozny, and her team. Nancy shared the project history and how she secured $150,000 from SoCal Water$mart to fund the project, her vision of the park experience, and the project work by the Landscape Team. She also thanked homeowners Carol and Charles Oswalt for the donated wooden benches, and Ed Sapp for the handcrafted wooden park entrance sign.

Jeff was presented with a $150,000 check from SoCal Water$mart by Nancy, and then he cut the green ribbon to officially open the park.

Backyard BBQ Classics: 

Event participants raved about the freshly grilled smash burgers and hot dogs prepared by Executive Chef Ben Peterson and Sous Chef Chris Ostermann. Food and Beverage Front of House Manager Colleen Doulgeropoulos worked with Server Jackie Espinosa and Lead Server Victoria Kaping to set up tables and food and drink stations, and ensure guests were served well.

Live Music: 

Dave Chandroo, lead singer of Harmony Grove, played his guitar and sang songs we all knew.

If you did not get a chance to visit the park yet, please view this brief video.

A Little History:

The turf reduction project was completely funded by a county rebate and designed to reduce water use. The grassy area just west of the pickleball courts was transformed into a park-like design after removing the turf and placing native and drought-tolerant plants. Walking paths, benches, a dry creek bed, and a boulder bridge create an area of serenity in nature and extend our community park options.

Photos by Mary Ellen Stevens.