“The Incredible Shrinking Park” they called it. That’s the quirky nickname some locals gave Collier Park in Ocean Beach. This park has a story, a tale of land battles and community spirit.
Collier Park is not just a park. It’s a place with a past. Once upon a time, this park spanned approximately 6.7 acres. This included the Point Loma Native Plant Reserve.
But let’s journey back further. Using a Fall 1957 Thomas Brothers Map as our guide, we can see that the park was once much larger. It was bounded by Soto Street, Green Street, Valeta Street, and almost reached Wolcott Street. Envision it stretching from Newport Avenue and Abbott Street all the way to Sunset Cliffs Boulevard. Its width would extend to the alley between Cape May and Brighton Avenues. That’s three long blocks in length and three and a half short blocks in width.
So what happened? Why did Collier Park shrink? Over the years, land was taken away for other uses. Despite its shrinking size, Collier Park remains a vital part of Ocean Beach. It’s a testament to community activism and the fight to preserve green spaces.
In the early 1970s, there was a battle to save Collier Park. The OB Rag, a local newspaper, joined forces with OB Ecology Action. Together, they fought to protect the park from further development. The land was originally dedicated to “the children of San Diego” by D.C. Collier, a turn-of-the-century developer.
However, in 1956, a proposition allowed for the transfer of some park property to the San Diego Unified School District. This effectively “un-dedicated” the parkland. The city promised to build another park at Robb Field. But that didn’t stop the community from fighting for Collier Park.
Opposition to the sale of Collier Park grew. In May 1970, the OB Town Council passed a resolution to pressure the city council to re-dedicate the land as a park. The OB Rag spread the word. The Peninsula YMCA and the Point Loma Garden Club joined the cause.
Tensions rose. In March, the city property department recommended selling or leasing the western side of the park. The Ocean Beach Recreation Board recommended that both sides of the Collier land be designated as parkland.
On March 13th, residents held an all-night vigil. They sought to bring public attention to the pending sale or lease. Under intense community pressure, the City of San Diego’s Park and Recreation Board voted to retain both sections as natural parkland.
The campaign culminated in a demonstration on March 28th. San Diego police attacked a demonstration in support of the park. It became known as the “Collier Park Riot”. The OB Rag published a special edition.
Eventually, the city relented and built a park. Today, Collier Park stands as a reminder of the community’s dedication. It is located a block north of Voltaire Street and bordered by Soto and Greene Streets. Next to the Community Garden and adjacent to the Native Plant Garden, it remains a green oasis in Ocean Beach. So, as you enjoy Collier Park, remember its history. Remember the fight to save this special place for the children of San Diego.