Jun 25, 2025 - News

San Diego is using the SeaWorld settlement to pay for park upgrades

Kate Murphy

The entrance of Robb Field with a sign and palm tree, and cars parked in the background. — The Ocean Beach Athletic Area at Robb Field is getting new bathrooms and playground equipment. Photo: City of San Diego

The city is using most of the $8.5 million from the SeaWorld settlement over unpaid rent to pay for planned upgrades at public parks.

Why it matters: The money is going toward long-overdue projects that will make outdoor recreation areas cleaner, more accessible and more fun for residents and tourists.

Driving the news: San Diego City Council voted Tuesday to allocate funding to 15 projects already designed or under construction around Mission Bay and other areas.

Zoom in: The largest chunk, about $3.6 million, will go toward replacing bathrooms and improving the playground at Robb Field in Ocean Beach.

Construction there and for a new playground, new bathrooms and repaving parking lots at nearby Dusty Rhodes Park is set to start next year.
A South De Anza park is getting new basketball courts and a nicer parking lot, with construction scheduled for July.

About $2.8 million will be spent on projects across several regional parks, including:

upgrading bathrooms around Balboa Park;
repairing Crystal Pier and sidewalks at Ellen Browning Scripps Park;
restoring the historic barn at the Rancho Peñasquitos Equestrian Center;
improving ADA-accessibility at Mountain View Park's sport courts.

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San Diego is using the SeaWorld settlement to pay for park upgrades

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