PROJECT BACKGROUND

El Corazon (The Heart, in Spanish) is a City-owned parcel of 465 acres, once utilized as a sand pit, located in the center of Oceanside, bounded by Rancho Del Oro Drive on the east, Oceanside Boulevard on the south, El Camino Real on the west, and Mesa Drive on the north.

An ongoing planning process that began in 2003 was facilitated by dedicated citizen’s committees. Through their work, the El Corazon Specific Plan was developed and eventually adopted in 2009 to guide the land use decisions created through public outreach and master planning efforts. The El Corazon Specific Plan, in part, divided the park land at El Corazon into nine park sites.

El Corazon Specific Plan

PROJECT OVERVIEW

El Corazon Park Site 1 is the first of the nine park sites to be developed. While the El Corazon Specific Plan describes El Corazon Park Site 1 as 36 acres of developable park land, at this time there are only approximately 17 acres available to developed due to current property land use agreements in place. An approximately 630-space shared use parking lot on the south-east side was constructed as part of the Frontwave Arena. 

PROJECT HISTORY

The purpose of the study was to identify and analyze existing site conditions, evaluate site opportunities and constraints, and collect input from the stakeholder groups and the community. Based on City needs and public input, site concepts and design options will be identified and ultimately a recommended design option will be brought to the Parks and Recreation Commission. Prior visioning efforts have occurred during the development of the El Corazon Specific Plan and the Prop 68 Grant pursuit and will serve as an important reference in exploring options and potential improvements.

The study included two (2) public outreach meetings and one meeting to Parks & Rec Commission. The following is a summary of those public outreach meetings.

El Corazon Park Site 1 Public Outreach #1 (September 2022)

The first public outreach meeting was held via Zoom to gain an understanding of what the public would like to see at El Corazon Park Site 1 given the site constraints. Below is a recording of the Public Outreach meeting conducted.

El Corazon Park Site 1 Public Outreach #2 (February 2023)

The second public outreach meeting was held in-person at the El Corazon Senior Center to determine the conceptual plan that best suits the needs of the Community. The PowerPoint presentation and the conceptual designs presented at the meeting can be found below. 

El Corazon Park Site 1 Workshop #2 Presentation

El Corazon Park Site 1 Concept Plans

Parks & Rec Commission (June 2023)

The City presented the concept design to the Parks & Rec Commission. The City received comments on the final design. The PowerPoint presentation presented at the meeting can be found below.

El Corazon Park Site 1 Parks & Rec Presentation

Final Concept Design

Based on the feedback received, this was the final concept design that is being advanced to 100% Construction Drawings.

Current Status

The City is currently at a 90% design level for the park site and is undergoing public outreach for the design of the pump track. The City aims to start Construction on the project in Spring/Summer 2026.

Park Site 1 Pump Track Public Outreach

As part of the approved concept design, a pump track was identified. As this is the first Pump Track in the City of Oceanside, the City is conducting another round of public outreach efforts to understand the needs and desires as it relates to the pump track. Based on City needs and public input, site concepts and design options will be identified and ultimately a recommended design option will be brought to the Parks and Recreation Commission. 

El Corazon Park Site 1 Pump Track Outreach Meeting #1

The city held an in-person public outreach meeting on June 30th at 6PM at the El Corazon Senior Center to look for input on preliminary design information for the pump track at El Corazon. A survey was launched after the meeting and was open until August 1st.

El Corazon Park Site 1 Pump Track Outreach Meeting #2

The City is holding an in-person public outreach meeting on October 23rd at 6PM at the El Corazon Senior Center to look for input on two conceptual ideas based on the information received during the first Public Outreach meeting. A survey will be available after the meeting. The survey can be available in other languages upon request.

SCHEDULE OF UPCOMING MEETINGS

El Corazon Park Site 1 Pump Track Outreach Meeting #2 -October 23rd at 6PM at the El Corazon Senior Center.

El Corazon Park Site 1 Pump Track P&R Commission Meeting - anticipated in November. 

Get Connected, Be Informed, Be Involved

As a member of the Oceanside community and user of these facilities, your input will be critical to the success of this study. If you would like to be added to an interested parties list please contact project manager Kymberly Corbin at (760) 435-3534 or KCorbin@oceansideca.org. By requesting to be part of this list, you will receive periodic emails of upcoming meetings and outreach events.

Project Manager: Kymberly Corbin, (760) 435-3534 or KCorbin@oceansideca.org

Project #: CIP21-00020

Program: Park Fees

Current Phase: Design

Duration: Design anticipated to be complete by January 2026. Staff anticipates construction to start in Spring/Summer 2026.