“Fix the Rec” Initiative Wraps Up with Big Wins for the Tierrasanta Community
“Fix the Rec” Initiative Wraps Up with Big Wins for the Tierrasanta Community
The Tierrasanta Community Park & Recreation Center has served as a cornerstone of local life for over 30 years—a hub for sports, learning, relaxation, and connection. But time and heavy use had taken their toll. That’s why the Tierrasanta Foundation launched the “Fix the Rec” initiative—a multi-phase effort to restore and improve this essential neighborhood resource.
Now, after two phases of focused work and nearly $49,000 invested, we’re proud to announce that “Fix the Rec” is complete—and the results speak for themselves!
Phase 1 Highlights: Community Pool Upgrades
Thanks to a collaborative community effort, the Tierrasanta Community Pool received a much-needed transformation:
Building repainted: Funded in part by the Tierrasanta Recreation Council ($3,300 for paint), and completed by the City of San Diego.
New windows installed: The Tierrasanta Foundation donated $4,700 for brand-new windows to brighten and modernize the space.
Lounge chairs and umbrellas purchased: Comfort and shade were top priorities, and now pool visitors can relax in style.
New tables and chairs: A $7,000 donation from the Foundation helped provide updated furniture for the pool area.
These updates were made possible through generous community contributions, including:
$5,675 raised via a targeted email campaign
$4,000 gift from Lee and Al Rachel
$2,000 raised through ad-related donations in The Pulse
With a net balance of $12,975 from Phase 1, we were positioned to keep the momentum going.
Phase 2: Park-Wide Enhancements
Building on that success, Phase 2 brought even more improvements across the 25-acre recreation center grounds:
Replacement of pergola posts to provide safe, shaded areas for gathering
Playground upgrades in the children’s area for safety and fun
Basketball & pickleball court improvements to support active recreation
New drinking fountains for easier hydration on hot days
A True Community Effort
This initiative was driven by input from residents, civic leaders, and recreation users of all ages. From seniors playing Mah Jongg, to kids learning to swim, to teens hitting the courts—these upgrades reflect what Tierrasanta values most: a vibrant, inclusive, and well-maintained community space.
What started as a simple call to “Fix the Rec” grew into a unified campaign that has delivered meaningful, lasting results. The Tierrasanta Foundation is proud to have led the charge—but we couldn’t have done it without your support.
See It for Yourself
Check out the before-and-after photos of the pool area and park upgrades to see the difference your contributions made.
Thank you, Tierrasanta. Together, we’ve made our Rec Center better than ever.
Tierrasanta Community Pool
The exterior of the community pool building was dirty and showing a lot of wear. Tierrasanta Foundation, through your donations, purchased 85 gallons of paint and the City of San Diego power-washed and painted the exterior of the building. You can see the dramatic difference below.
Before: Exterior of community pool building.
After: Exterior of community pool building.
Pool Deck Windows
Over time, the windows between the pool building and the pool itself became sun-damaged and nearly opaque. As a staff member noted, “the 2 largest windows are in the pool offices where it’s imperative for staff to have a constant view of the swimming pool in the event of an emergency. Currently, staff must look through an adjacent doorway to see outside.” Seven windows in all were replaced on the pool building.
Before: Sun damaged window.
After: New window that lifeguards can see through.
Rec Center Pergola
The Pergola is a great place for residents to gather but over time the support posts started rotting. The Tierrasanta Foundation replaced the 16 rotted 6”x6" support posts with brand-new ones. They look great and will keep everyone safe.
Before: Rotting support posts at the pergola.
After: 16 new support posts at the pergola.
Outdoor Basketball Courts
The outdoor basketball courts had cracks making it difficult to play in some cases. Tierrasanta Foundation had the courts resurfaced and also had stripes added for pickleball.
Before: Cracks on the outdoor basketball courts.
After: Resurfaced outdoor basketball courts and pickleball court striping added.
Rec Center Playground
At the playground, several pieces of equipment were damaged and unsafe for kids to play on; therefore, they were barricaded with cones and warning tape. Tierrasanta Foundation purchased three new rockers and a replacement panel on the slide, resolving issues with broken springs and missing parts, significantly enhancing the area.
Before: Broken playground equipment.
After: New playground equipment, safe for kids to enjoy.
Rec Center Drinking Fountains
The drinking fountains were also in need of repair.
Tierrasanta Foundation, through a generous donation, purchased brand-new fountains, designed to accommodate large water bottles, still awaiting for City to install them.
