Grape Day Park: Current Projects

Creative Pathways: Activating Grape Day Park for the 21st Century

Art Works for San Diego: 2008 Community Impact Grant

The Escondido History Center and the Escondido Children’s Museum received a $25,000 planning grant from the Arts and Culture Working Group of the San Diego Foundation. Their purpose is to fund projects that demonstrate the power of arts and culture to bring people together to solve community problems while increasing cultural participation, inspiring philanthropy and building a strong case of support for the arts. Of 85 proposals, Creative Pathways was one of 8 funded; it is the only North County grant funded and the one of only two that are place-based. Some, but not necessarily all, of the funded projects will be eligible to apply for additional grants in subsequent years to implement their project plan.

Project Summary

We imagine Grape Day Park as the safe, dynamic, attractive and effective cultural heart of Escondido’s complex and resurgent downtown. Parks bring people together, building and strengthening community ties. Grape Day Park occupies the perfect location to make substantial and long-lasting positive changes in our city, bringing together people across class and ethnic lines to enjoy arts, culture and recreation. The prevailing perception of the park today is as an unsafe space, used primarily by the homeless and addicted. Downtown has been undergoing a revitalization, but the park has been left behind. This project will gather input from our community to find out 1) what types of public programming (events, activities, classes of all types and sizes) our community wants to attend in the park and 2) what amenities are needed to support those activities (for example: more seating options, performance space, shade, exercise equipment, etc). As a result of this project, Grape Day Park will blossom through increased public programming and new amenities, bringing our community together in ways that only a park can.

Project Team

Grantees:
Escondido History Center, Escondido Children’s Museum

Steering Committee:
Wendy Barker, Katie Ragazzi, Greg Danskin, Sue Dusharme, Ken Erickson, Richard Esparza, Alex Galenes, Steve Nelson

Stakeholders:
California Center for the Arts, Escondido; City of Escondido; Downtown Business Association of Escondido; Mission Park neighborhood; Old Escondido Historic District

Advisors:
Suzanne Pohlman, Mel Takahara

Project Administrative Assistant:
Jennifer Stepien

Project Timing

First Quarter July - September

Define Park Principles - These will outline the grant’s approach to the project and underpin all surveys, meetings, and the eventual proposal
Begin Communications Plan*
Hold first of 4 quarterly stakeholders update meetings
Schedule stakeholders focus group meetings

Second Quarter October – December

Conduct a baseline survey of current park usage for future comparison
Start online survey
Hold stakeholders focus group meetings
Hold second of 4 quarterly stakeholders update meetings
Hire Parks Consultant

Third Quarter January – March

Hold public forums
Interpret online survey results
Hold third of 4 quarterly stakeholders update meetings
Parks Consultant conducts and completes study

Fourth Quarter April - June

Install informational kiosk in park
Hold fourth of 4 quarterly stakeholders update meetings
Finalize plan for the park project in years 2-5 of partnership with the San Diego Foundation and other partners

*Communications Plan

Create a preliminary website
Start park calendar
Create survey cards
Develop online survey
Gain positive media exposure for the park during the planning year (NCT, TLN, SDUT)
Install a prototype informational kiosk to galvanize communications and participation