District 1 Chairman

INTRODUCTION

In 2001, the cities of San Diego (SD) and Chula Vista (CV), and the County of San Diego (CSD) adopted an overall concept plan for the Otay Valley Regional Park (OVRP). Following that a strategic plan for the implementation of the concept plan was adopted by the OVRP Policy Committee. The Strategic Plan recommended to staff to develop a management program for the park. This strategic management program is implemented through the preparation of this Management Framework Plan which:

• Provides for the protection of park visitors and park neighbors,
• Establishes an agency review process for proposed park improvements; and
• Provides for the operations and maintenance of open space and recreational facilities.

OWNERSHIP OF PARK LAND

• All recreation areas acquired by a jurisdiction will be owned, and managed by that jurisdiction.
• Open space areas will be owned by the acquiring jurisdiction and, with mutual consent, can be transferred to the JEPA agency whose jurisdiction the property is in.

MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

• Ongoing administration of regional park activities will continue to be coordinated by the County Department of Parks and Recreation.
• The OVRP is divided into three sub-areas for purposes of management and maintenance:
  • Upper and Lower Otay Reservoirs are owned by the SD Water Department. Management coordination is necessary with the Joint Staff (JS) upon implementation of the OVRP elements for this area.
  • West of Otay Reservoir and east of Heritage Road by the Otay Ranch Preserve Owner Manager (CSD/CV).
  • West of Heritage Road SD Park and Recreation Department.
• When open space is managed by a jurisdiction, but under the ownership of another jurisdiction, the jurisdiction with ownership shall provide equitable assistance.
• To provide mutual support and to best manage the parklands, jurisdictions will assist each other in the management, operation and development of the park, regardless of jurisdictional boundaries or property ownership.
• Planning and development of trails, staging areas, fences, and other necessary facilities should be coordinated by the jurisdictions with CSD Department of Parks and Recreation taking lead responsibility.
• Planning and development of recreation facilities will be undertaken by the jurisdiction, which owns the property with input from the other participating jurisdictions.
• Public Health and Safety responsibilities will remain the same for the jurisdictions.

STAFF COORDINATION

Day to day management and planning responsibilities will be transitioning from addressing solely planning issues to addressing a combination of planning and management issues.

City of San Diego