SeaWorld settlement will fund upgrades to Robb Field in Ocean Beach

SAN DIEGO – The San Diego City Council on June 24 approved the investment of nearly $8 million in projects at park facilities across the City, including major upgrades to Robb Field in Ocean Beach, sidewalks in La Jolla, and Pacific Beach’s Crystal Pier.

The allocation of funds comes from a legal settlement with SeaWorld over lease payments owed to the city by the theme park dating back to 2020.

In total, 11 locations across the city have been identified to receive funding for a range of projects, with more than $3.6 million allocated for the long-overdue replacement of the restrooms and playground equipment at Robb Field.

In January 2025, the city agreed to a settlement with SeaWorld of $8.5 million for the Mission Bay Park Improvement Fund and the San Diego Regional Park Improvement Fund. These voter-mandated capital improvement project funds receive dedicated revenues from the city’s leaseholds in Mission Bay Park.

Approximately $560,000 of the settlement funds were used to address revenue shortfalls for prior fiscal years, with the remaining $7,940,000 dedicated to projects recommended by the oversight committees for both the MBPIF and RPIF. In identifying the projects, the city considered those already in design or construction phases that contribute to the benefit and enjoyment of residents and visitors.

The Robb Field General Development Plan, approved in April 2024, includes new restrooms and expanded playground facilities. The design process is underway, with construction anticipated to start next year.

For the MBPIF, additional park locations and projects were identified for funding, including:

• $235,000 for the south De Anza basketball courts and parking lot improvements in Mission Bay, with construction expected to start in July 2025.
• $719,629 for the Dusty Rhodes restroom, playground, and parking lot improvements in Ocean Beach, with construction expected to start in January 2026.

Seven projects in the San Diego RPIF were also identified for use of the settlement funds, totaling nearly $2.8 million, with projects in various stages of construction. These include:

• $370,000 for restroom improvements at Organ Pavilion, Spanish Village, and Morley Field in Balboa Park.
• $170,00 for electrical service improvements at Chollas Lake.
• $200,000 for the replacement of missing and damaged wooden pier piles on Crystal Pier.
• $294,000 for sidewalk repairs at Ellen Browning Scripps Park.
• $967,000 for restoration of the historic barn at the Rancho Peñasquitos Equestrian Center.
• $608,000 for ADA improvements at the Mountain View sports courts.
• $170,000 for park improvements at the West Sycamore Staging Area.

“San Diegans have been asking for new bathrooms, safer playgrounds, and upgraded facilities — and that’s exactly what we’re delivering,” said Mayor Todd Gloria. “This investment will replace aging restrooms at Robb Field, repair sidewalks in La Jolla, improve accessibility in Mountain View, restore historic facilities in Rancho Peñasquitos, and more.

“These are real improvements that will make our parks cleaner, safer, and better for everyone.”