SB Eastside News: Ortega Park Revitalization Project Updates

The SB Eastside 9.5 acres Ortega Park located next to Santa Barbara Junior High School at 640 Salsipuedes Street, is awaiting funding to proceed with a revitalization plan. Current data shows funding from the City of SB at $1,390,000 and a Community Development Block Grant at $146,690. The amount for construction of the current site plan is estimated at $20 million.

Established in 1930, Ortega Park is known as a cultural and social hub for SB Eastside. According to the SB Parks & Rec department website, “In June of 2018, after ongoing community requests to see the park revitalized for local families, the City of Santa Barbara began outreach to understand the community’s vision for the future of Ortega Park.”

The proposed improvements include public art with an area dedicated to preserving its historic murals; aquatic facilities for wading, lap pools and waterslide; a multi-wheel park for skateboards, scooters, roller skates, rollerblades and bicycles; a multi-sports field for soccer, baseball, rugby and lacrosse; a community plaza gathering spot with children play structures; and climate resilience built into it.

I reached out to Jill Zachary Parks and Recreation director, City of Santa Barbara; Justin Van Mullen, Capital Projects supervisor for Project Management Team at City of Santa Barbara Parks & Recreation Dept.; Sean Stewart Park Project planner; Monique O’Connor Associate Park planner; and Kevin Strasburg Project engineer, for a status update on the project. Zachary replied via email.

MJ: Where is the project as of August/September 2024?

Zachary: Our design team is completing the final plans and construction specifications so that we can submit the proposed project to the Community Development and Public Works departments for the building permit. We’re on track through item 4 in the timeline:

1. June 2018 – September 2021: Community outreach and plan development

2. September 2021: Project approval at Planning Commission

3. January 2022 – June 2023: Project design finalized

4. July 2023 – December 2024: Construction documents finalized, building permits

The timeline on our web page indicated that it is “Pending Funding.” We are on track through Number 4. Since the project is not yet funded, we do not have a revised timeline. The site plan on our website can be downloaded and saved as a PDF, dated November 2022. 

Any neighborhood committee meetings scheduled?

We currently do not have any neighborhood meetings scheduled. Additional outreach will occur once the final plans are complete, and we have the funding to advance the project to construction. We do not have funding for construction in place and therefore cannot speak to when the revitalization project will begin. 

For the Ortega Park Steering Committee, I contacted Andi Garcia, its volunteer organizer and co-lead. She informed that they are a group of four volunteers working on the project. At the time of this report, they declined to comment on the park updates.  

411: sbparksandrec.santabarbaraca.gov/projects/ortega-park-revitalization-project