City leaders and community members broke ground Tuesday on a playground in Southeastern San Diego. The $1.6 million project was a long time coming.
The Southeastern San Diego Community Planning Group residents first drafted plans in 1987 for a new playground in the Mountain View Community Park. It took nearly three decades for enough funds to trickle in and move it to the top of the project list.
Shelley White was born in Mountain View 82 years ago. He says the park he played in wasn't all that different from the one there today.
"I feel relieved that finally it's going to happen, because it takes a long time to get something to happen," White said.
The construction is being funded through developer fees and federal community development grants. The city couldn't move forward with the project until it identified full funding.
Councilwoman Marti Emerald said the money is worth it.
"What we look for are safe streets and good housing," Emerald said. "But we also look for places where people can come together as a community, where kids can grow up with other kids and feel a sense of community and ownership."
Crews are scheduled to complete the $1.6 million project next summer. Emerald's office said the playground is expected to come in under budget, meaning additional funds for the next project on the list.
