ORANGE PARK UPDATE

The new 3.9 acre park will feature a multi-purpose field, a children's play area, outdoor exercise equipment, shade structures/picnic shelters, a restroom, parking lots, sloped turf area for spectators, turf, pathways, benches, a basketball half court and an off-leash dog area.  

Residents in the area have provided feedback on the design and helped name the park. Funded by Proposition 84, which provides bonds for clean water, parks and coastal protections, Orange Park is estimated to cost $2.8 million. 

 ...to provide faster, more reliable WiFi and Internet service to the Chula Vista Public Library, the Civic Center and South Branches will close for one week to install new cables and wires. Civic Center will close March 10 through March 16 and the South branch will close April 18 through April 27. The Otay Ranch Branch will not be affected by the closures and library staff will be transferred to other locations during the upgrade. As a convenience to the public, return dates for library items due during each branch closure will be adjusted to the date of reopening.

 ...if you are a Chula Vista resident over the age of 50 looking to help improve the quality of life and safety in your city, consider joining the Senior Volunteer Patrol (SVP) program! The SVP handles a variety of jobs including enforcing handicapped parking regulations; conducting vacation home security checks; patrolling business districts, parking lots and school zones; assisting officers with traffic control and many other duties. Requirements include one 6-hour shift per week with a minimum program commitment of one year, attend trainings and possess a valid California driver's license. To volunteer or for more information, call (619) 476-2417.  

...as part of the Port of San Diego's Chula Vista Bayfront construction, there is a temporary detour of the Bayshore Bikeway between J and H Streets to the bike lanes at Bay Boulevard. Demolition work on this portion of the bayfront is planned to be completed in the fall of 2014.  

... Wednesday, March 5, is the grand opening of the Interstate 805 (I-805) carpool lanes from East Naples Street in Chula Vista and State Route 94 in San Diego. The eight-mile segment will improve traffic flow, alleviate congestion on the highway, and serve the planned South Bay Bus Rapid Transit, carpools, vanpools, buses, motorcycles, and permitted clean air vehicles. Construction on the carpool lanes is the first completed piece of Phase 1 of the I-805 South Express Lanes Project, which also includes the construction of a Direct Access Ramp (DAR), Transit Station and Park & Ride at East Palomar Street as well as 10 sound walls.

SANDAG and Caltrans would like to express their sincere appreciation to the residents and businesses of Chula Vista for their patience throughout the construction. All motorists are encouraged to take advantage of this exciting new option by carpooling or vanpooling to and from your destinations.

... a "Climate Change Working Group," composed of residents, businesses, and community organization representatives to help update our award-winning Climate Action Plan, has reconvened.  During the next year, the group will hold multiple public meetings to discuss and recommend new ways to reduce energy and water use, expand renewable energy and alternative fuel opportunities, design more sustainable neighborhoods, and maximize recycling and composting material in the community.  Sign up to receive meeting notices and provide feedback to the Climate Change Working Group, CLICK HERE.

...for the next two months, the East H Street entrance to Southwestern College will be closed for construction. To read more about their plans, CLICK HERE.

...when you're stranded on the freeway, out of gas or with a flat tire, SANDAG provides free motorist aid to keep San Diego moving. The Freeway Service Patrol (FSP) travels select local freeways seven days a week to provide free assistance to stranded motorists. They can help with a gallon of gas, a jump-start, water for the radiator, or a tow off the freeway. FSP helped more than 55,000 drivers last year. Drivers experiencing car trouble on the freeway can call 511 and say "Roadside Assistance" or use a yellow highway call box to be connected to the help they need, 24 hours a day. Assistance is available from police, fire, ambulance, towing, or even a family member or friend. CLICK HERE for more information.

...your City has several ways to keep you informed of all the latest news, events, and programs. Besides this newsletter, make sure to sign up for the free Nixle message notification system where you can receive "alert," "advisory," and/or "community" messages directly to your email or cell phone from the City, CLICK HERE.

To follow us on Facebook, CLICK HERE, and Twitter, CLICK HERE. And if your organization, school or church is having a public event held in Chula Vista, you can "advertise" it for free on the Community Calendar. CLICK HERE to see the calendar and guidelines for posting.