San Diego State University (SDSU) Mission Valley River Park has made a vibrant open-space destination of what was once the largest expanse of contiguous parking lot paving west of the Mississippi River. For over 50 years, the site was blanketed by pavement and the 70,000-seat San Diego Stadium that hosted numerous sporting events, including three Super Bowls. Since Petco Park was under construction for the San Deigo Padres and the Chargers relocated to Los Angeles, the site emerged as an ideal location for transit-oriented redevelopment, as the existing public transit station connects to over 65 miles of light rail destinations. In November 2018, SDSU gained the rights to negotiate and purchase the property from the city of San Diego in a city-wide ballot initiative. The university committed to building a new multi-use stadium and transforming the 172-acre site into a highly active mixed-use development. In 2022, construction on the 35,000-capacity Snapdragon Stadium was completed.

The heart of this development is the 34-acre river park with several multi-use recreation fields, fitness areas, hardcourts, game areas, picnic tables, playgrounds, interpretive education, an outdoor classroom, native and naturalized landscapes, a network of over four miles of accessible walkways and trails, and a one-acre trolley plaza at the existing light rail station. Designed by San Diego-based landscape architecture firm Schmidt Design Group (SDG), SDSU Mission Valley River Park opened to the public in March 2024.

 
A "Green Sponge"
SDG worked closely with SDSU leadership, the consultant team, community members, and key stakeholders to craft an "authentic sense of place" grounded in the park's connection to the San Diego River and surrounding communities. The site is immediately adjacent to the 52-mile river that flows from the Laguna Mountains in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, encompassing a 433-square-mile watershed. As a steward of the river, the SDSU Mission Valley River Park acts as a "green sponge," radically expanding the land available for rainwater infiltration. The park also includes site-wide stormwater capture and treatment interventions to improve water quality as well as mitigate historic flood water impacts to the site and other developments downstream. To alleviate seasonal flooding, parcels set aside for future development were raised above the 100-year flood plain. To accommodate the floodwaters displaced by these newly elevated portions, the grading in the river park was lowered. This work was quickly tested, as San Diego experienced record rains and flooding in January 2024, just two months prior to the grand opening. During these heavy rains, the grading and hydraulics performed as designed, a testament to years of multidisciplinary collaboration.

Connecting A People's Past & Present
The owners and Landscape Architects took special care in recognizing local Kumeyaay history and culture. To do this, the design team collaborated with Kumeyaay Nation tribal leadership to identify the subject matter for interpretive elements found throughout the park. The result of this outreach integrates Kumeyaay culture in a way that balances their past and present connection to the region. Based on this collaboration, SDG designed a series of 11 interpretive panels highlighting the history of the Kumeyaay tribe as well as the park's flora, fauna, watershed, sustainability measures, and more. A Kumeyaay Land Acknowledgement is also etched into the paving at the Trolley Plaza, explaining that this land is the traditional territory of the Kumeyaay people, recognizing their historical stewardship, and expressing respect for their culture and ongoing presence in the area. To continue the legacy of responsible management, the Landscape Architects sought to protect the San Diego River's sensitive habitat by crafting a significant native planting buffer with understory plantings, several-hundred Coast Live Oaks (Quercus agrifolia), California Sycamores (Platanus racemosa), and three different Willow varieties, including Arroyo Willows (Salix lasiolepis). The entire design is rooted in this theme, extending into the pollinator pathways throughout the surrounding streetscape.

Telling the Story of Place
Reflecting the university's commitment to leadership in sustainable design, the park offers layered storytelling that connects visitors to the river and site history. For example, the play area includes a tree-like climbing structure where children can safely climb to wave at travelers in the passing elevated trolley cars. Resilient patterns in the playground surfacing mimic the surrounding canyon topography and tributaries that empty into the San Diego River. In Trolley Plaza, ribbon-like paving patterns and planting "islands" emulate the flow of the river and its eddies. Custom pavers include elements from the Kumeyaay Creation Story, like abalone shells. The shade structure was inspired by Kumeyaay dwellings called 'ewaa' and beaver dams that were once in the river valley. Patterns in the tree grates are reminiscent of local reptile species. Throughout the site, reed-like light fixtures reach upward, referencing the riparian flora of the San Diego River. Similarly inspired workout elements are found in the fitness zone.

A two-mile, "Hike-and-Bike Loop" includes artful concrete and mosaic tile mileage markers hand crafted by local mosaic artist Emilie Ledieu. Each medallion abstractly depicts ethnobotanical plant life important to the Kumeyaay people. Illustrative etchings on boulders also highlight animals in the river valley. Multigenerational design strategies led to placing seating opportunities for seniors at regular intervals. Various seating nodes feature decorative, "urbanite" paving consisting of concrete salvaged from the San Diego Stadium demolition. This repurposed concrete was also used as the base material for the park's concrete flatwork, the streets within the development, and the surrounding parking lots. Solar-powered pedestrian walkway light fixtures in flood-prone areas eliminate the need for miles of copper wiring. The lighting is also strategically shielded to minimize the impact on adjacent habitats.

Safety & Practicality
Inspired by Fredrick Law Olmstead's designs for places like Central Park and Prospect Park, the Landscape Architects introduced a bridge structure to SDSU Mission Valley River Park to intentionally separate different modes of mobility. The eastern entry road follows the natural grade, creating clearance for a pedestrian and bicycle undercrossing that links two core park segments while allowing vehicles to pass overhead. Similar to Olmstead's desire to separate carriages from pedestrians, those traveling by foot or by bicycle in the River Park are able to move freely between park spaces without crossing a vehicular thoroughfare.

A New Legacy
SDSU Mission Valley River Park plays a critical role in the transformation of this legacy property. Providing much-needed recreation space, the park enhances the health, well-being, and quality of life for San Diego residents. The improvements also expand the ecology and strengthen the habitat along the San Diego River, creating positive change that will have a truly generational impact. Plans for the remainder of the site include an innovation district, retail, a hotel, approximately 4,600 units of market-rate and affordable housing, and more than 80 acres of additional open space.