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Councilmember Jose Preciado
District 2 Newsletter
APRIL 2025
ISSUE 1
| | Local children enjoying the new Sweetwater Park playground | | Chula Vista Bayfront's First New Park | | |
Dear Council District 2,
Sweetwater Park, the first new park space of the Chula Vista Bayfront redevelopment, is now open! Just in time for Earth Day, you can enjoy and appreciate the beauty that nature has to offer with a stroll through the Port of San Diego's largest park. Sweetwater Park officially opened with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting this week, marking the beginning of what will soon be a very active Bayfront. Keep reading for more details about this brand-new park!
Did you know the Gaylord Pacific Resort is scheduled to open on May 15th? That's just a little under six weeks! Check out the latest construction progress.
The Office of District 2 would also like to acknowledge April in Chula Vista as Arab-American Heritage Month. We would like to celebrate the numerous achievements and contributions of Arab-Americans throughout our city, county, and country.
| | Spotlight on: Sweetwater Park | | Sweetwater Park, 845 E Street, is the latest addition to the Chula Vista Bayfront. Years in the making, the new open space is "habitat-oriented," made with consideration of the Sweetwater Marsh National Wildlife Refuge. The 39-acre park features meadows, specialty gardens, playgrounds, grasslands, and 2.5 miles of pedestrian and bicycle paths. | | The park officially opened on Wednesday, April 2nd. Commemorated with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting, the crowd of City officials, Port leaders, and local residents heard from Port Commission Chair Danielle Moore, Vice Chair Ann Moore, and artist Roberto Salas. "Rigors of Flight," a public art installation from Salas, serves as a prominent focal point of the park. Kumeyaay signage will also feature throughout the park to pay tribute to the space's ancestral land. Carter Jacob Spotser, CVESD middle school speech contest winner, spoke about the positive impact of parks on young kids and his excitement for Sweetwater Park. | "Rigors of Flight" by Roberto Salas at Sweetwater Park (Port of San Diego) | | While Sweetwater Park has now opened, another park nearby is in the works. Harbor Park will double the size of the existing Bayside Park. A 25-acre project, Harbor Park will feature a larger beach, a new pier at H St, and picnic and play areas. Not to worry—the existing fishing pier will remain! Learn more about the future Harbor Park and its amenities. | | Eucalyptus Park Groundbreaking | | The City of Chula Vista broke ground on Eucalyptus Park, marking the beginning of its restoration process! Eucalyptus Park is the oldest park in Chula Vista, built in 1927, serving local families for nearly a century. Thank you to all the professionals who assisted in making this possible, and the residents who came to community meetings to share their desires and needs for this iconic green space. Because of the scale of this project, the lower level of the park will be closed until summer 2026. Menzel Field, located on the upper level, will remain open. Learn more about the Eucalyptus Park Renovations Project. | | |
Community Budget Presentations
The City of Chula Vista will hold two community budget meetings to present the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Proposed Budget and gather public input. You have three chances to hear the presentation and give your thoughts!
- Monday, April 7th, 6PM, Norman Park Senior Center
- Wednesday, April 16th, 5:30PM, Otay Ranch Library
- Wednesday, April 23rd, 6PM, Civic Center Library.
Click for more information.
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Wildfire Preparedness & Hazard Awareness Community Workshops
The Chula Vista Fire Department will host four workshops to discuss the 2025 Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps and what the City is doing to reduce wildfire risk. Learn about hazard awareness and provide your input!
- Wednesday, April 9th, 5PM, Chula Vista Fire Station 1, 447 F St
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Monday, April 14th, 5PM, Chula Vista Fire Station 5, 341 Orange Ave
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Wednesday, April 16th, 5PM, Chula Vista Fire Station 10, 1715 Millenia Ave
- Wednesday, May 7th, 5PM, Chula Vista Fire Station 8, 1180 Woods Dr
Click for more information.
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Waived Adoption Fees
The Chula Vista Animal Care Facility is waiving all adoption fees for the month of April!
Spring into action and find your next best friend. Apply to adopt online at www.cvacf.org.
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MTS Now Accepting Apple Pay
You can now use your Apple device to pay and ride on MTS transit! Simply hold your iPhone or Apple Watch near the PRONTO validator, then board! A one-way adult fare will be changed and will be valid for unlimited transfers for two hours. Learn more.
| | Upcoming Events in District 2 | | |
Knock Loudly! @ OnStage Playhouse
Buy tickets for Knock Loudly! by Anna Sandor, the latest production at OnStage Playhouse. Opening night is Friday, April 4th, and the show runs through Sunday, April 27th!
An alcoholic aging actress is confronted by her mortality when she becomes the unlikely mentor to an impressionable teenage girl.
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A Celebration of Poetry
Across Language
April is National Poetry Month! Whether you're a writer or reader of poetry, celebrate the art and its impact across various languages on Sunday, April 6th, 2-3PM at the Civic Center Library.
This free, family-friendly event will feature poets reading their pieces in English and their native language, including Spanish, French, Chinese, and more. Learn more.
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Free Tax Assistance
AARP will be providing free tax assistance at the Civic Center Library on Thursday, April 10th and Friday, April 11th from 10AM-2PM on a walk-in basis only.
Make sure to bring your ID and all necessary tax documentation.
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South Bay Earth Day 2025
Chula Vista's Annual South Bay Earth Day celebration is back for another year! Come down to Bayfront Park on Saturday, April 12th from 11AM-3PM to enjoy entertainment and activities for the whole family.
The event will feature over 50 vendors, an artist alley, a tie-dye workshop, a kids zone, a performance from One Drop Redemption, and much more!
Biking to the event? Consider joining a family-friendly, four-mile guided bike ride with instructors from the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition! The group will be meeting at 10:30AM at Bikeway Village, 536 13th Street, Imperial Beach, CA 91932. Register here.
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Art Through the Glass
Closing Reception
Art Through the Glass's latest exhibition, "Unity in the Time of Uncertainty," will wrap up with a closing reception on Saturday, April 12th from 2-5PM at the Chula Vista Center. This free event will feature a live DJ, local vendors, interactive workshops, and fun activities for the whole family!
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Free Easter Eggstravaganza
Celebrate Easter with the whole family at Terra Nova Plaza on Sunday, April 13th from 12-3PM! Activities include an easter egg hunt, face painting, pony rides, bounce houses, and more!
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Master Composter Course
Join the City of Chula Vista and the Living Coast Discovery Center this Spring for a FREE seven-week course that provides training in the art and science of composting! Over seven weeks, you’ll learn through hands-on demonstrations, lectures, and more.
Classes take place on Wednesdays at 6PM starting April 16th at the Living Coast Discovery Center.
Registration is required.
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CVPD Community
Engagement Academy
Experience law enforcement like never before at the CVPD Community Engagement Academy. This two-day workshop will allow participants to engage in dynamic presentations from members of SWAT, K-9, Street Team, and more.
The academy takes place on Saturday, April 19th & 26th from 8AM-3PM at the CVPD Headquarters. The program culminates in a graduation ceremony at the City Council Chambers!
Apply by Wednesday, April 16th!
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Day of the Child 2025
Join the annual Day of the Child celebration on Saturday, April 19th from 10AM-3PM at Memorial Park! The event, hosted by Chula Vista Community Collaborative, features fun for the whole family, including local resources, games, vendors, entertainment, and a car show!
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Free Legal Research Assistance
Did you know you can receive free legal research assistance from a San Diego Law Librarian here in Chula Vista? Visit the Civic Center Library every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month from 10AM-3PM to find resources for legal aid.
*Law librarians cannot give you legal advice, but they can guide you to resources and show you how to use them*
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From SDG&E: Payment assistance programs
SDG&E offers assistance programs to help you with your monthly energy bill which could include up to a 30% discount. Find out if you qualify at sdge.com/assistance.
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Sweetwater Authority: Low Income Customer Assistance Program
The Low-income Customer Assistance Program (LCAP) allows qualifying Sweetwater Authority customers to be eligible for low-income bill assistance on the water bill at their primary residence. See eligibility requirements.
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The Office of Sustainability: What Will Be Accepted in Your Green Food and Yard Waste Container?
Food Scraps and Food Waste:
- Coffee grounds, eggs/shells, fruit and vegetable scraps
- Seafood, meat, and bones
- Breads, cereals, tortilla, rice, and beans
- Dairy products, cheese
Food-Soiled Paper Products:
- Coffee filters, tea bags
- Food-soiled paper plates, paper towels, and napkins
- Greasy pizza boxes (recycle the clean portion)
- Paper/cardboard takeout containers
Yard Waste:
- Grass, tree, and brush clippings
- Leaves
- Flowers & houseplants (without pot and dirt, place these in the trash)
Learn more here!
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Weekly Farmers' Market - Now Accepting EBT
Shoppers can now use their CalFresh public benefits food assistance (EBT card) at the Downtown Chula Vista Farmers' Market every Sunday from 10AM to 2PM. Just visit the Welcome Booth at the east end of the market to swipe and shop.
Rain or shine, the market is open. Stock up on fresh ingredients, grab a snack, or buy a bouquet of flowers on Park Way between Third and Fourth Ave. See here for updates.
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Living Coast & Museums for All
The Living Coast Discovery Center is now a member of Museums for All! Museums for All lets SNAP recipients enjoy free or discounted entry to over 1,400 U.S. museums with their EBT card.
Through this program, Living Coast admission tickets are just $3 per person for up to 4 people per EBT card. Learn more.
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Free Motor Oil Disposal
Chula Vista residents, who have single-family home trash and recycling service have the following options to recycle used motor oil and filters:
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Bring used motor oil and filters to a Certified Used Oil Collection Center. Used Oil Collection Centers also provide FREE drain pans. Visit www.wastefreesd.org or call 1-800-237-2583 for the nearest location. *Used Oil Collection Centers will not accept used oil that has been contaminated with water, antifreeze, gasoline, etc.
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Arrange for curbside collection by calling Republic Services at (619) 421-9400. Call at least 24 hours prior to your regular collection day.
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Bring your used oil and filters to the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility for FREE.
- This facility will accept used oil that has been contaminated with water, antifreeze, gasoline, etc.
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Monthly Car Seat Safety Checks
The Chula Vista Fire Department has announced dates for the 2025 free car seat installation checks at the Otay Ranch Town Center and the Chula Vista Shopping Center. Both events will take place in front of the Macy’s entrances. The checks are offered to parents, grandparents, or child caregivers to teach proper car seat installation and keep your child safe!
See all upcoming dates.
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Chula Vista Disaster Preparedness
From the Chula Vista Disaster Council:
Click here to see how the City of Chula Vista is prepared for various natural disasters.
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Meals on Wheels
Meals on Wheels provides nutritious meals to thousands of seniors, disabled veterans, and caretakers. Deliveries are made daily by volunteers.
Want more information on how to get meals delivered to you or someone you know? Call the South County Service Center at 619-420-2782 or visit them on the 2nd floor of the Norman Park Senior Center at 270 F St, Suite 22, Chula Vista, CA 91910.
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FREE Community Shuttle
Attention District 2! The City of Chula Vista has partnered with Circuit to provide residents aged 55+ with free rides within the limits of the Northwest (see map). Residents under 55 can ride for a fare of $2 per rider. Catch a ride to a doctor's appointment, the grocery store, to see a movie, and more!
Rides are ADA-accessible and door-to-door while using all-electric vehicles. As of February 2024, over 33,000 rides were given, with an average wait time of around 9 minutes.
To request a ride, download the Ride Circuit app or call 646-504-3733 and press option 7. Shuttle service is available Monday-Friday from 7AM to 7PM.
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Did you know...
The City of Chula Vista has an official app for reporting non-emergency issues, such as graffiti, potholes, abandoned vehicles, and more? With ACT Chula Vista, you can upload photos, see nearby issues, and check on the status of your report.
Download ACT Chula Vista now!
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File an online police report:
The Chula Vista Police Department has an online reporting tool for non-emergencies. Before reporting, make sure the incident meets ALL requirements below:
- This is not an emergency.
- This incident occurred within Chula Vista City limits.
- There are no known suspects.
- This did not occur on a state freeway.
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The incident falls under one of the following categories:
- Harassing phone calls
- Hit and runs
- Identity theft
- Lost property
- Theft of property
- Theft from a vehicle
- Vandalism
- Vehicle tampering
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Do you know you live in District 2?
Chula Vista's District 2 sits North of L Street and West of Paseo del Rey.
Contact our office -
General Inquiries: district2@chulavistaca.gov
Senior Council Aide: Diana Quintero - dquintero@chulavistaca.gov
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