Bonita Homeowner Writes Chula Vista Mayor and Council About Vision and Values vs Horse Arena

Letter written to Mayor John McCann, Carolina Chavez, Jose Preciado, Michael Inzunza, Cesar Fernandez, Frank Carson and Kevin Pointer:

I am writing to formally raise a concern regarding the apparent inconsistency between the City of Chula Vista’s publicly stated vision and values and the proposal to remove the Rohr Park equestrian arena .. the only public horse arena within approximately a 30-mile radius .. in order to construct additional soccer fields.

The City’s own vision statement emphasizes cultural richness, environmental diversity, inclusive recreation, and access to unique outdoor experiences. It highlights Chula Vista as a place defined by varied landscapes, trails, and activities that serve a broad cross-section of the community. These stated values are difficult to reconcile with the elimination of a rare and historically significant public equestrian facility.

The Rohr Park arena directly supports the City’s goals of diversity and inclusion. Equestrian use serves backyard horse owners, families, seniors, individuals with disabilities, and residents who cannot afford private boarding facilities. It also benefits non-participants .. children, walkers, and park visitors .. who enjoy observing horses and experiencing a living part of the community’s rural and cultural heritage. This form of recreation is low-impact, intergenerational, and accessible in ways that scheduled, fee-based sports facilities are not.

While soccer fields unquestionably provide value, they are not a scarce resource in the region. Numerous soccer facilities already exist throughout Chula Vista and the surrounding area, including school-owned, club-owned, and lighted fields. By contrast, the Rohr Park equestrian arena is unique. Once removed, it cannot be meaningfully replaced. Replacing a rare public resource with a facility that is already abundant does not increase recreational richness .. it reduces it.

The proposed removal also raises equity concerns. Organized field sports primarily serve users who participate through leagues, schedules, and fees. The equestrian arena, by contrast, supports informal, individual, and family use, as well as passive enjoyment by the broader public. Eliminating the arena disproportionately impacts a smaller but legitimate user group whose needs are easily overlooked in traditional participation metrics.

Additionally, the equestrian arena contributes to the environmental and community character of Rohr Park. It operates without lighting, amplified noise, or intensive infrastructure, and it has historically served as a community asset during wildfire evacuations. These benefits are materially different from those associated with lighted athletic fields and should be weighed accordingly.

If the City’s vision of diversity, inclusion, and environmental stewardship is to have substantive meaning, it must be reflected not only in statements but in planning decisions. A values-aligned approach would seek ways to expand recreational opportunities without eliminating the only public equestrian facility serving South County.

I respectfully urge the City to reconsider any proposal that would remove the Rohr Park equestrian arena and to ensure that future planning efforts preserve this unique public resource while exploring alternative locations or strategies for expanding soccer and field sports elsewhere.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I request that this letter be included in the public record for the Rohr Park Master Plan and any related actions.

Sincerely,

Darrell Jett

Bonita, California

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