What Really Went Down at the Rohr Park Master Plan Final Meeting?
- Susan Heavilin
- 4 days ago
- 7 min read
Updated: 11 hours ago
The Rohr Park - Final Plan Update was held last Thursday, November 20, 2025 at 5:30 at the Provence House, 4370 Sweetwater Road. I have always known that the Provence House was located in Bonita, California and if you google the Provence House (San Diego Parks), you will find it located in in Bonita. But if you look at the City of Chula Vista email/flyers, they list the Provence House in Chula Vista.
My dear, sweet friend Linda Provence Diehl—an experienced equestrian that often loaned me her horse books—must be turning over in her grave at the shenanigans taking place in Rohr Park.
Some people received a City of Chula Vista flyer/email if they had attended past pop-ups or Master Plans updates. Many did not . . . but the word got around anyway. The flyer was welcoming—"Participate in the future of Rohr Park - Master Plan. Join our workshop to finalize the Rohr Park Master Plan." Unfortunately, it didn't go down that way.
Was the Master Plan Update Well-Attended?
A large crowd of Bonita-Sunnyside community friends and neighbors showed up for the presentation—over 100 in all. There were so many that they leaned against walls (standing room only) and flowed into the adjoining entry room. The atmosphere was cordial and relaxed with people greeting friends that they hadn't seen in years.
There were nine or ten round tables set up and three rows of chairs at the back of the room. I thought it strange that there was no standing microphone for people to cue up and ask questions.
As the people streamed into the main room, Frank Carson moved about handing out popsicle sticks. I received two popsicle sticks as did to every other person in the room. I thought Wow! He's going to let each of us speak two times! Like the saying goes, never assume.
Who is Frank Carson?
Frank Carson is the current Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Chula Vista. According to his bios, he has many years of private and public sector experience in the Parks and Recreation field. Before getting this position in Chula Vista, he worked in the City of El Cajon for 11 years as their Director of Parks and Recreation. Before that, Mr. Carson worked for the City of Chula Vista for over 10 years. Additionally, he was a Professor at San Diego State University, where he taught courses in HOSPITALITY, recreation, and tourism.
The team members did their presentations first. There was no agenda handed out. I missed their names and did not see them printed on the Power Points presentations. They did a nice job.
Next Mr. Carson took the floor to receive input. He walked to the first table and took a popsicle stick. The woman asked a question but we couldn't hear what she said. (The room was not enclosed at the top—kind of a sunroom—and it was raining on the roof.) We said we couldn't hear. People said, give her the microphone. He smirked and said he wouldn't do that . . . he wasn't giving up the microphone. The group asked him to hold the microphone in front of the person so that we could hear their question.He said no. The crowd booed him and he then said they were a hostile group. [Lesson 1: I control the mic and who speaks.]
He moved to the second table. The attendees complained that they couldn't hear the question. He started paraphrasing but he skipped a lot of words and it didn't make sense, sometimes it became the opposite meaning. A woman in the back asked about what was being said and he walked over and took her stick. [Lesson 2: I control this room and you will talk only when I say.]
He moved around to the tables and the chairs in back. Ten questions were asked but very few could be heard. He started on a second round but only to five areas. He then stated the Q & A was over and he wanted to move us into the adjoining room to rate where we wanted each item to be ordered in completion. Only 15 or less questions were answered with over 100 people in the room waiting for a turn, eager to talk.
Ideas From the Audience and Others
• Equity for Girls in Sports (AB 2404)—The City of Chula Vista is using this new law to say that girls' softball team fields are more important than a horse arena. Girls participation in sports IS important and I'm all for girls. But all the sports teams (soccer, baseball, soccer, etc.) were put above the sport of horsemanship. Equity was strongly stated but Mr. Carson ignored the fact that Equestrian Sports teach confidence and strong boundaries and that most equestrians are girls . . . 90% girls.
• The Rohr Park Arena is already in existence and requires little upkeep. Leaving it in place is the most economical thing that could be done. Move the proposed soccer fields to the grass of the golf course. It is allowed by the Convenant and is easily done.
• Leave this arena in place for safety. It is a large-animal evacuation site and has been used many times in the past as a safe haven. It is needed by our horses and livestock when a wild fire erupts.
(Mr. Carson stated that he had expertise in this area and we could drive our animals to Del Mar. Does he realize how inane this is when we already HAVE a large-animal evacuation site in Bonita? Can you imagine loading frightened animals and driving them through a wildfire to Del Mar? I, too, have expertise in this arena (pardon the pun). I am one of less than twenty individuals trained to teach Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Classes in San Diego County. I have experience with animal evacuation sites, setting up and operating an evacuation shelter for humans, worked with the Coronado Firefighters and sat on the Coronado CERT Board for many years. Mr. Carson knows not of what he speaks and we need this evacuation site IN BONITA.]
• Chula Vista wants to take down the arena because it's not been used. When Sunnyside Saddle Club placed a lock on the arena gate, all horses in the Bonita community loss use of the facility. Normally, the arena has plenty of use. I know of a woman who had many horses and used it 3-4 times a week, sometimes three times a day. Lack of use? Only when it is locked. And once it was unlocked, the "no trespassing" signs remained and Chula Vista never notified the public park users that Rohr Park Arena was reopened for all. Incompetent or intentional?
• Bonita was once the horse capital of the United States . . . more horses than people. The Bonita Museum & Cultural Center features a Bronze Horse Statue created by local Mehl Lawson (The Cowboy Artists of America), celebrating "horse country."
Where the Meeting Went Sideways
Mr. Carson was arrogant and disrespectful to the attendees. They had ventured out on a cold, rainy night only to be insulted and mocked. No input was added to the Master Plan.
The room was visibly angry—actually livid is a better word—like a beehive that had been smashed to the floor. Mr. Carson wasn't looking for solutions and scoffed at many of the comments. Several people went to him afterwards to yell at him and tell him what they thought of him.
Some of the groups mentioned that Chula Vista had not reached out to them. Mr. Carson replied that he did not contact them, that they had to contact him. It can be done now but was impossible when they did not even know the arena was proposed to be removed.
Mr. Carson's plan worked like a charm. It was perfectly staged to cause division, frustration and a defeatist attitude. Chula Vista made a mistake by turning this man loose on the Bonita-Sunnyside group because Chula Vista is no longer looked upon as a good neighbor or people that can be trusted. He divided the horse groups—private (Sunnyside Saddle Club) vs backyard horse owners—even further apart than they had been when the arena was locked. [Lesson 3: I'm from Chula Vista but I own your park and will decide what will be done there.]
After Meeting Comments on Social Media
Several residents jumped right on Bonita CA Residents (Face Book) immediately and voiced their opinions.
Click on first image and scroll through others
What to do now?
First of all, don't give up. It's not over yet. We are "Bonita Strong" and can win this.
Get rid of your anger. It's not going to help our cause. We need to be smart and fight Chula Vista using the laws they are breaking to win our case.
"A cowboy/cowgirl personality is defined by traits like independence, integrity, and a strong work ethic, along with a sense of self-reliance and loyalty. This archetype involves a courageous and decisive approach to challenges, a deep respect for the land, and a commitment to doing what is right. While traditionally associated with ranchers, the "cowboy/cowgirl personality" can be adopted by anyone embodying these characteristics." —A I
What else can you do? You can write the Chula Vista Mayor and Council Members. They decide what happens in Rohr Park. This beautiful letter was written by Anonymous Member 547 in Bonita CA Residents (Face Book). Cut and paste the letter into these email addresses (one letter to seven recipients). Please send it at your earliest convenience!
Subject: Protecting the Equestrian Arena at Rohr Park
Dear Mayor and Council Members,
I am writing to express my deep frustration regarding the ongoing discussions about the future of the equestrian arena at Rohr Park. This is a unique and special piece of land in our community and it serves a purpose that cannot simply be moved or replaced elsewhere.
Rohr Park already offers a rare and valuable equestrian space, something that very few cities still maintain.
There are many other areas throughout Chula Vista that are far better suited for expanding soccer fields, but there is only one area that supports equestrian activities. Preserving this space honors our community's history and diversity of recreation.
Unfortunately, the meeting and survey process has been extremely discouraging and somewhat biased. The individual leading these discussions has been consistently passive and dismissive of community input that want the equestrian area to stay. It feels as though residents who care deeply about this issue are not being heard at all.
I urge the City to genuinely listen to the community and recognize the importance of keeping this space.
Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.
[Type your first and last name]
Oh dear, sorry to be nitpicky. The subject line should read "at Rohr Park" or "in Rohr Park" or simply "Rohr Park Equestrian Arena"
"Subject: Protecting the Equestrian Arena a Rohr Park"
aforementioned typo is in paragraph 1, line 2:
am writing to express my deep frustration regarding the ongoing discussions about the future of the eqestrian arena at Rohr Park.
Please note, equestrian is misspelled in the email. A sure tell that it is copied and pasted. Please correct.
Beyond that, your research and explanation of why the arena is important and how the park planners have been less than transparent is incredibly helpful. We won't give up!