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Campaign for Exciting Addition to Grant Park

STEM + ART + INSPIRATION

View of the Learning Lab Building
Artist rendering





"Programs like yours
are the only way my students
get to nature"


 

More than 20,000 students

have participated in

our nature education

experiences

 

There are 70,000+ students
at schools within 15 minutes

of this site in Mission Valley

 

The River Center will allow 10,000 students annually to be connected with nature through incredible hands-on experiences.


DESIGN TEAM
RNT Architects - Lead Architect

IDS Group, Inc.
Randall Lamb Associates
KPFF Construction Engineering, Inc.
Rick Engineering, Inc.
MIG, Inc.
Protection Design & Consulting

CONSTRUCTION

Pacific Building Group

 

 

The building will increase the opportunities for 10,000 students annually

Did you know:

40% of students give schools a grade of C or lower in the use of technology

52% of students give schools a grade of C or lower in being excited about learning

 

This building will bridge this gap!


Students will go indoors for microscopes, aquariums, remote monitoring, and more.

Students will use digital microscopes to study water they just collected from the River; they will learn about rainbow trout while seeing lifestream data from nearby trout streams, they will study echolation to learn about bats, and more!


This $1.57M addition will also provide 3 restrooms, storage and expanded interpretive elements. The project will be built in phases as key fundraising milestones are reached.



The Foundation is Built
$75,000 will allow construction to start.




Why is this important?
An indoor space will add greatly to our outdoor learning programs at Grant Park.

 

From our many years of experience we know the value of integrating our outdoor learning programs with our research programs. This 1200 sf building will greatly enhance the transformational impact of these programs by providing an indoor space for microscopes, remote sensing equipment and fish tanks. The Workshop provides a place for collaborative, project-based learning and fun. Art + STEM = STEAM. Technology and inspiration will all come together.

The San Diego River Arts Alliance Gallery will display the works of students right next to local professional artists.


We will use the power of STEAM to create meaningful nature connections!


Prospectus (PDF)

$1,570,000: Total Cost

$75,000: Amount needed to reach next milestone:

Impact: the exterior walls and roof can start construction!
Thank you to everyone who has already contributed! Thanks to you the foundation and utility connections are in! We are getting closer!




Giving levels:

Friends
$500 or $1000 Personalized River Rock installed on Stage Wall

River Society - Be recognized on dedication plaque

$5000 River Club
$10,000 Park Partner
$25,000 + Founders Club

Unique Naming Opportunities- Start at $30,000
A limited number are available

Trees and Benches are available for dedications $5000 - $20,000

Interested in learning more? Contact our Senior Manager for Philanthropy, Pat Rice.
Contact Pat at pat@sandiegoriver.org or call 619-297-7380

More Details about Giving Levels

 



THERE ARE SEVERAL WAYS TO DONATE

Online with PAYPAL:


VENMO: @sandiegoriver
For: River Center

or use this link https://account.venmo.com/u/sandiegoriver

By Mail: send a check to:
The San Diego River Park Foundation
4891 Pacific Highway, Suite 114
San Diego, CA 92110
Memo: Grant Park

Credit card by telephone: call 619-297-7380 M - F 8:30 - 1:30PM

Other:

The San Diego River Park Foundation is a 501c3 public benefit nonprofit. All donations are tax-deductible as provided by law. EIN 01-0565671
Questions: Call 619-297-7380 ask for Pat or Rob



Watch a brief video about the project

 


Grant Park Summary
  • 17 acre site in Mission Valley with river running through it

  • Former sand mining site transformed to nature park
  • 70,000+ students at schools within 15 minute travel time
  • 100 seat Conrad Prebys Experience Stage
  • McGrath Family Commons for neighborhood events and more
  • Sustainable and accessible design
  • Mutliple locations for small group learning
  • 13+ acres available for field study
  • Touch tank and other interactive exhibits
  • Key location along regional San Diego River Trail
  • Interpretive elements with emphasis on the San Diego River as a living resource
  • Park amenities, gardens, and more!



Girl learning to plant


Other Ways to Be Part of the Project


Help plant

You or your group or business can be a key part of this exciting Mission Valley Project.

Volunteers are needed to plant trees and a range of other tasks. Scout projects are also available. Contact our Volunteer Program Manager, Shane by email shane@sandiegoriver.org or call 619-297-7380.


Design and Planning Continues!
Thanks to a $500,000 federal grant secured with the help of Congresswoman Sara Jacobs, planning and design will advance on new interpretive elements, gardens and other elements. If you are interested in being part of this effort, contact Rob, our CEO by email or at 619-297-7380. Thanks!




Special Opportunities


Commemorative Engraved River Rocks $500 and $1000

Your river rock will be easily accessible along the Interactive Stage Entry Wall.

Rendering of entry wall

There are two sizes of river rocks for $500 or $1000.

You can personalize 3 lines of text with 20 characters or spaces per line.

For donations online, we will contact you after you donate for your engraving details or email us the completed form below.


Mail In Form for River Rocks with engraving details(PDF)
Mail in Form (PDF) for Donations or Pledges of $5000 or more





Give $5000 or more - Join River Society

Donations can be made in the form of a pledge.

River Society members will be invited to special events and receive permanent recognition of the project's dedication sign.

$5000- River Club

Benefits: be recognized on the permanent dedication sign.

$10,000 - Park Partners

Benefits: more prominent recognition on the The Den's permanent dedication sign.



Give $25,000 or more - Join the Founders' Club

$25,000 - Founders Circle

Benefits: be invited to a special tour of the site and pre-opening reception. You will also receive receive an invitation to a planned special event after the project opens to the public.

$100,000 - Leadership Circle

Benefits: in addition to being prominently recognized on the dedication plaque your generous gift will also be recognized at the planned Leadership Circle located in the future River Garden. This recognition is for cummulative giving including special naming opportunities.

$200,000 - President's Circle

Benefits: our highest level of recognition! Your name will be recognized at one of the rows of seats at the Conrad Prebys Stage as well as all benefits of the Leadership Circle.
.
Would you like to learn more? Please contact our Senior Manager of Philanthropy, Pat Rice, at 619-297-7380 or by email.

 





Unique Naming Opportunities Start at $30,000

  • 8 foot tall waterfall
  • Critter Walk
  • Virtual Learning Station
  • Entry Courtyard
  • Learning Lab Building

and more!

 

For each of these we will work with you to recognize your generous donation.

To discuss these opportunities:
Contact Pat Rice, Senior Manager for Philanthropy and Government Relations
Click Here to Reach Pat by email
or call 619-297-7380 x 103



Grant Park is an exciting project that will grow over time.

Phase 1 grading, sidewalk, traffic lights, underground utilities and more.

Phase 2 constructing the 100 seat Conrad Prebys stage, a section of the San Diego River Pathway, gardens and the McGrath Family Commons

Current Phase. Add a 1200 square foot building for a Learning Workshop, Restrooms and Storage.

Future: expanded gardens, plant nursery, Solar trellis, and elevated river boardwalk.

You are invited to help shape Grant Park!

Volunteer, donation of services and products, and financial gifts are all welcomed!


 

Tours Are Available

Tours can be arranged for groups of 10 or more. Open tours are available on Thursdays and some weekends. Contact Pat Rice at 619-297-7380 x103 or by email to schedule your tour!



Your Group Can Help

We are signing up groups for planting, shade structure building, installing benches and signs, and more.

Contact Shane Conta by email or call 619-297-7380 to learn more.



Special Thanks To The President Circle Donors:

Vantile Company, LLC Conrad Prebys Foundation
Alta Company, LLC Tom and Cookie Sudberry
Philip Pryde Quarry Falls, LLC
An anonymous gift Hervey Family Fund at the San Diego Foundation
State of California McGrath Family Foundation
  The SDG&E Community Investment Fund at The San Diego Foundation

Rendering of Grant Park

Rendering of the McGrath Family Commons including The Arbor.


Learn More



Location


2450 Camino del Rio N
in Mission Valley



Latest News

10/15/2024 Phase 2 passes 78%

4/29/24
$500,000, in Federal Funds awarded! To accept funds, NEPA compliance needs to be completed.

 

4/19/24 $371,000 fundraising goal met learning stage shade structure can be added!!

 

4/8/24 Fundraising for Phase 2 passes $5M!

9/28/23 City of San Diego Issues Building Permit for second phase!