Parks After Dark Starts Summer Slate of Activities in City Heights, Linda Vista, Memorial, Skyline Hills

It’s summer and City Heights, Linda Vista, Memorial and Skyline Hills have something special to celebrate the season.

The second annual Parks After Dark summer program, a series of free, outdoor, multicultural and multigenerational celebrations, begins Thursday at four parks and recreation centers in those communities.

The eight-week series continues through Aug. 26, with events set from 5 to 8 p.m. every Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

The available activities include open swims on Thursdays at City Heights Rec Center and Fridays at Memorial Rec Center, and free food for kids at the City Heights, Memorial and Skyline Hills rec centers and at Delores Magdaleno rec center throughout the program, as supplies last.

The San Diego Parks Foundation, the City of San Diego, the County of San Diego, and Price Philanthropies announced the continuation of the program last week in Memorial Park. In addition to the swimming and food, it includes free outdoor music, theater, movies, arts and crafts, games, sports clinics and more.

“The Parks After Dark program brings neighbors together and helps create safer neighborhoods by activating our public parks with community-building events,” said Mayor Todd Gloria.

Nora Vargas, chairwoman of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, added, “This creative program is key for our communities to thrive by increasing access to recreational green spaces and provides an opportunity for families and youth to build community.”

Modeled after a successful program at three parks in Los Angeles in 2010, Parks After Dark is
designed to reduce crime and create social cohesion by establishing safe spaces on summer nights.

Data from the Los Angeles program showed a 32% decrease in serious and violent crimes between 2009 and 2013 in the program’s three initial parks.

Launched in San Diego in 2022 by the San Diego Parks Foundation, Parks After Dark focused on neighborhoods with high crime rates and few activities for kids.

“Thriving cities have thriving parks that are made great by the people who play, exercise, and
gather in them,” said Jon Hinkin, executive director of the foundation. “Parks After Dark welcomes people across San Diego to gather with neighbors and friends to celebrate
their communities in their local parks, and we are proud to support it as part of our mission to
improve quality-of-life in San Diego through parks.”