Second Request Gets Answers About Proposed Rohr Park Amphitheater
- Susan Heavilin
- Dec 3
- 4 min read
Recently, I wrote emails to Parks & Rec Director Frank Carson inquiring about the proposed Rohr Park Amphitheater. People living in the surrounding areas had some real concerns about the new venue and I had several requests to get them some information. So I did.
For the duration of the Rohr Park Master Plan unfolding, residents had been directed to send their questions to Mr. Carson. This was my first attempt to contact him.
Hi Frank . . .
I have a few questions about the Amphitheater that appears on the latest Rohr Park Final Plan map.
I realize that it is currently on the long term (10+ years) schedule. The only information I have is that it is “an outdoor venue for community events.”
I’m thinking that if that land will be sitting vacant for ten years (or more), maybe it would better serve the community to activate that land now (such as one of the sports fields).
Could you please answer the questions below so we the community have a bit more information on what to expect from this venue.
(My original questions appear below in brackets [ ] with the answers) . . . .
Thanks Frank. I appreciate your immediate attention to these questions.
Best!
Susan Heavilin
Bonita-Sunnyside resident
Editor, Sunnyside Common Sense
The first email was sent on November 25, 2025 and received no response.
The second email I sent was on December 1, 2025 and I got the following email in response almost immediately, very informative and polite.
Hello Susan,
Thank you for reaching out to the City of Chula Vista. Frank forwarded your questions to the Communications Department, and we are happy to coordinate a response. Just for your awareness all media inquiries should be sent to the Office of Communications.
To help ensure accuracy, we want to clarify that the amphitheater shown on the draft Rohr Park Master Plan is a conceptual idea. The City is still gathering public input, and no formal plan or decisions have been made. The draft reflects concepts only, including the amphitheater, which was included due to community interest in enhancing the existing hillside area already used for movie nights and small community performances.
Additionally, because the area sits on a natural slope, it cannot be graded for sports fields.
As public input continues to be taken, project specifics cannot be determined until a final plan for Rohr Park is developed, approved, and funded.
Below are responses to your questions:
What is the square foot area? [What is the square foot area included in the amphitheater and surrounding space?]
A specific footprint has not been determined, as the City is still in the community-input phase for Rohr Park and no official design work has been done.
How many people will it seat?
The draft concept of the amphitheater simply reflects community interest in a modest gathering space, not a large concert facility.
Hours of operation?
Since this is conceptual, no operational schedule exists.
Number of concerts per week or month?
The amphitheater is not envisioned as a concert venue. Programming would be similar to existing community events already held in the park (movie nights, student performances, cultural celebrations), not routine amplified concerts. Because no design or program plan exists, estimates are not available.
Maximum decibel level?
Any future use, musical or otherwise, would be required to comply with the Chula Vista Municipal Code, which governs allowable sound levels in parks and residential areas.
Direction of the sound stage? [What direction will the sound stage face? (Toward Sweetwater Road, Central Avenue, Bonita Road or Willow Street?)]
The draft concept shows a possible orientation toward the existing grass hill, similar to how movie nights are currently set up. Direction and configuration will be reviewed again if the project ever moves into design.
Will performers be allowed to use amplification?
Any amplification would be subject to the sound rules already in place for all parks citywide. No new standards are being proposed.
Will sound mitigation be installed?
Sound design would comply with Chula Vista Municipal Code and park-use regulations.
What are considered “community events”?
Examples of community-focused programming that could occur, consistent with existing uses, include:
Movie nights
Student theater and arts presentations
Cultural or holiday ceremonies
Fitness and recreation classes
Educational demonstrations
These are illustrative only, not commitments, because no official plans have been made for Rohr Park.
Examples of music types?
If music programming were considered in the future, it would be consistent with past park events. Family-friendly, low-impact performances, such as local school bands or community groups. The amphitheater is not designed or intended as a major commercial music venue.
Photos of similar amphitheaters? [Could you please provide photos of similar amphitheaters that resemble what you plan to build?]
These examples illustrate general community-use gathering spaces, not an official design, as no official plans have been made for Rohr Park.
For scale reference only:
1. Memorial Bowl (larger than what is envisioned)
2. Mountain Hawk Park’s small stage area (more similar in size and purpose)
If you have any further media inquiries, please contact the Office of Communications.
Thank you,
Mirella Leung Lopez
Communications Officer
I found the photo above in the Mountain Hawk Park site materials. The amphitheater there was mentioned as a possible build for Rohr Park. I'm not sure that this is a photo of their amphitheater because the open sides and lack of walls surprised me.
Chula Vista is also looking at this (above photo) as a model for the Rohr Park Amphitheater. The RPA is expected to be smaller than this but who knows what will transpire in ten years' time. Again, there no walls to deflect sound.
I had inquired as to what direction the Rohr Park Amphitheater would face but without any walls, it wouldn't matter. The sound created during an event would head off in ALL directions.
These are the current rental fees for Chula Vista event spaces. Note that these are hourly. I wonder if Bonita residents will fall under the resident or non-resident category for the Rohr Park Event Space Hourly Rates?
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