The Escondido city council voted 3-1 last Wednesday to approve a memorandum of understanding with non-profit Love Esco Inc. to create a renovated park at Heritage Garden.
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The Memorandum would allow the non-profit to raise funds for the creation of Heritage Garden Park, apply for grants and create initial terms with the city for a future agreement surrounding the park.
Love Esco is expected to begin fundraising and finalize the design of the park within six months, reach a final agreement with the city early next year, and begin construction, with the hopes of construction being completed and ownership passed on to the city by early 2028.
The proposed Heritage Garden Park, located at the North East Corner of Juniper St. and East Grand Ave., could include a playground, food and beverage kiosk, new gazebo, increased greenery, canopies and other structures creating shaded areas, a terrace and fencing around the park, based on renderings shared during the meeting.
The Heritage Garden site was a gas station until 1979. Following 1979, the County Department of Environmental Health and Quality kept an eye on the site for any potential health and environmental concerns. However, the Department of Environmental Health and Quality closed their case in 2015 deeming no monitoring was needed, according to City Manager Sean McGlynn.
The lot is currently under a 2013 Adopt-a-Lot property agreement with the Escondido Heritage Garden Project, which was formed by George Weir of Asphalt Construction and Grangettos Farm and Garden Supply. Under this agreement, the lot was slated to be used for a “community gathering and public gathering space,” according to McGlynn.
Weir, a current member of Love Esco, and his associates — Cynthia Weir, Dustin Steeve, Mark Skovordo and Steve Nelson — plan to continue the work that was started in 2011 with the initial park proposal.
“The donation we’re proposing now via Love Esco is a continuation of that 15 years of citizen-led effort,” Skovord said during the meeting.
Funding would be supplied through donations received through Love Esco’s fundraising efforts. The current goal for the project is $1.2 million. That money would cover design services, construction and materials.
Once completed, Love Esco would donate the park’s facilities to the city, which would be responsible for maintaining the park — an estimated annual cost of at least $50,000 per year across 10 to 25 years, according to Glynn.
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Love Esco also asked that the city forgive any development review fees — estimated to be around $20,000 — fast track review time, cancel the Adopt-a-Lot agreement from 2013 and pay for any costs associated with a Phase Two Environmental Review if it is determined to be needed.
During public comment, Love Esco’s Skovordo shared his sentiments on why the council should support the park and the non-profit’s design goals for the space.
“We believe this project will raise downtown’s profile, help Escondido retain and attract families and bring more customers to downtown businesses,” Skovordo said.
However, some community members had concerns about what the new park could mean for organizations that use the park for activities, such as the Farmer’s Market and Cruisin’ Grand, and that local food businesses in the area could lose customers to the proposed food stand.
“Unfortunately [the plans] don’t meet the needs of our downtown,” said Louisa Magoon, owner of the nearby Grand Tea Room. “Heritage Garden is used for many more things than a park. It’s used for events, including the two street festivals, Art and Culture creativity, Art in the Garden…so where do we hold special events?”
“The proposal would turn the gazebo into a concession stand,” said community member Carol Rogers. “We have Manzanita Coffee directly across, we have Tony Pepperoni, 7/11, Mexican Restaurant, Kitty Corner, Best Pizza and Brew directly behind it and another coffee shop about three doors down, east. If our goal is to support downtown businesses, why would we put a food and beverage operation in the park?”
During council comment, Mayor Dane White acknowledged the concerns expressed by the community, asking for an amendment to be made to the memorandum of understanding. His proposed amendment addressed the website Love Esco will create to share its fundraising plans and garner community engagement. He asked that public input be taken from the Downtown Business Association, businesses along Grand Avenue and residents.
Councilmember Judy Fitzgerald echoed support for the proposed park stating that it is an attractor for young families.
“It’s not just a park, it’s also going to be another attraction downtown,” she said.
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