TYPE: Parks and Civic Spaces

PHASE: Schematic Design

San Elijo Lagoon is one of San Diego’s largest wetlands, encompassing a 979-acre reserve primarily consisting of a shallow-water estuary where the Escondido and La Orilla Creeks meet the Pacific Ocean.

Fields of the Future is a 6.5-acre visitor services park dedicated to the San Elijo Lagoon conservation. We envision it as an agricultural-centered park and learning space. We aim to create areas that encourage gathering, wandering off-trail, quiet contemplation, and fun rather than strictly maintaining a natural landscape.

One of our key features is experiential learning “rooms” focused on the role of plants and trees in carbon sequestration and their impact on climate patterns. Additionally, we plan to allow visitors to explore the dry creek areas, providing educational opportunities along the creek bed and planting riparian vegetation to enhance the environment.