Rohr Park Master Plan: The Latest . . .

Sept 2025 Master Plan Update | Horse Arena replaced by Soccer Fields | Click on image to enlarge

Background

Rohr Park may be a neighborhood park to Bonita residents but it belongs to the City of Chula Vista. Last year, the City embarked on a Rohr Park master planning process for their park. The objective was and still is to create “an implementable framework for future park improvements.” Completion was forecast for Winter 2025/2026 until controversy arrived.

Last September, the City staff recommended draft master plan repurposed the existing equestrian arena area. That northeast park area would become soccer fields based upon survey results. In general, the City’s vision for their park is urban to address the needs of Chula Vista residents.

Local equestrians and others then showed up in mass at public meetings. They wanted the equestrian arena to remain. The City Parks & Recreation Commission did not support staff’s recommendation. Outspoken commissioners also wanted the equestrian arena to remain and alternatives be explored. Then, Mayor John McCann announced at his January 2026 press conference that:

• The existing equestrian arena would remain in Rohr Park.

• The master plan development timeline had been extended by a year.

The Latest

The Rohr Park and Chula Vista Golf Course master planning effort advanced into a new (previously unidentified) project phase, “CEQA and Golf Course Analysis.”

City Council approved an amendment for additional civil engineering and planning services to continue their master planning effort. [April 14, 2026 City Council meeting, agenda item 8.3] Those additional consulting services were estimated at $250,000.

The consultant services disclosed at the April 14th Council meeting were:

• full California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) environmental review,

• golf course and northeast park assessment,

• evaluation of improvements and enhancements, and

• refinement of concepts.

To be clear, an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) was not included.

However, the environmental document resulting from the environmental analysis will be disclosed and subject to a formal public review.

The City also expects to hold another public workshop.

Why Does This Matter?

The City apparently is not considering recreation use alternatives going forward. If the City was going down that path, their consultant scope of work would say so. It does not.

So, at this point in time, it is reasonable to conclude that:

Changes from the status quo are forthcoming in the northeast park area.

Staff’s recommended draft master plan (revealed previously without the horse arena) will be used as the basis for the full environmental review.

How to Stay Informed

Read Sunnyside Common Sense. “Rohr Park Master Plan” category makes it easy to locate past articles.

City of Chula Vista’s Community Voices website/ “Rohr Park Master Plan Visioning” page. (From the homepage link, scroll to the bottom to locate the bottom: “View all surveys & projects”) The earlier workshop presentations with master plan details are linked.

Thank you to Deputy City Manager Sarah Schoen and Parks and Recreation Director Frank Carson for their timely response (my questions and their answers below.)

April 22, 2026 Inquiry and City Responses Received May 5, 2026

City of Chula Vista

Sarah Schoen, Deputy City Manager

KLH: On April 14, 2026, the City Council approved additional consultant services for the Rohr Park and Chula Vista Golf Course Master Plan. [Agenda Item 8.3}

Your City Council presentation [Agenda Item 8.3] revealed a new timeline. This updated timeline showed the project entering the “CEQA and Golf Course Analysis” phase.

It was my understanding that this park master plan would be covered by a CEQA [California Environmental Quality Act] Exemption.

What change led to the City's proposed master plan needing CEQA analysis?

SS: This is a project specific Master Plan, which makes it a formal project under CEQA and therefore requires CEQA analysis.

KLH: Has the City authorized the Initial Study and special studies [contained in the Dudek January 30, 2026 proposal letter] or will that come later?

SS: Based on the amendment to the agreement with Dudek that was approved by the City Council, staff is working to complete the next steps authorizing this work, it is anticipated to be completed in the coming weeks.

KLH: Will any information be forthcoming to the public before all work is complete and staff calendars this item before the Parks and Recreation Commission for approval?

SS: The City held 3 workshops, 5 pop-up events, received 1500 survey responses and has held one on one meetings with interested parties. This next step will perform the CEQA analysis, assessment of the Golf Course and refine the design concepts and provide an implementable framework for the future park improvements. The CEQA process will include formal opportunities for public input. Once a draft environmental document is prepared, it will be released for public review and comment. During that period, community members can submit written comments, and the City will respond to all substantive feedback as part of the final environmental document. Additionally, the City expects to hold an additional public workshop.

KLH: Please let me know how an interested stakeholder may stay informed on this project.

SS: This project, as well as others can be followed on our Community Voices page. This link will take you directly there. Community Voices. Since the project is still in the planning phase, it will come back to the Parks and Recreation Commission and City Council for future consideration and approval.

By Karen L. Henry, P.E. | May 17, 2026

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