Pioneer Park Today

Future Plans

Pioneer Park Today

In Mission Hills, residents work hard for Pioneer Park. People are proud of this historic landmark. The construction was completed in 1970. The tombstones were moved to the southeast corner near the 1917 Kate Sessions building that became the Grant School kindergarten room. The central memorial and the restrooms were added in 1977, and brightly colored play equipment was built later. A winding sidewalk goes through the park that is several acres in size. The grass and trees are well maintained, and it has a small parking lot.  Visitors are immediately reminded of the past when they see the headstones and adobe wall. Everyone is welcome.

Current Use

Many events and simple acts of leisure occur in this park. Some people hold family picnics in the park, which is a great place to do so. Neighborhood kids play in the children’s playground that includes swings and a climbing jungle gym on the edge of the park right next to Grant School. People also use Pioneer Park’s big inner field surrounded by trees for organized sports and practices. People play soccer and perform Tai Chi in the park. Walkers, joggers, cheerleaders and even babysitters come to the park for different reasons, such as practice or fresh air. There are dog owners that come for exercise and others that come to read the inscriptions on the gravestones. Some people come to it just to take a nap.

Grant School uses the park for physical education as well as for many special events. Two special events are the ice-cream social and the health fair. The whole school gets together for the jogathon, which is an amazing event in which everyone tries to run as many laps as they can around the park, greeted at the end with juicy oranges and cheering spectators.

Rules and regulations

The park is used by the Mission Hills community for many special events including concerts, weddings, and parties. However, San Diego City Park and Recreation department has some rules for holding these events. Events having more than 100 people or a public address system require a permit. The permit needs to be completed sixty days in advance to get a reservation. The fee paid depends on the activity planned. Food is permitted, but glass containers and inflatable playhouses are restricted. Alcoholic beverages are allowed from noon to 8:00 P.M. for some events. The park is only open from 6:00 A.M. to dusk.

This park is important to the community and it is a treasure that gives visitors happiness and relaxation. Mission Hills continues to maintain the park to keep it a great place to be.

by Jimmy, Stephen, Maya, and Joshua

A view of the Pioneer Park Memorial