SAN DIEGO — People in southeast San Diego's Mount Hope neighborhood are calling on the city to revamp the area's only park, saying they've been dragging their feet for years.
Neighbors tell CBS 8 they've been promised improvements at Dennis V. Allen Park, including a new recreation center for years, but not much has changed.
"This is our home,” said Charles Alexander.
Alexander is proud to have grown up in Mount Hope, but can't say the same about Dennis V. Allen Park.
"This is the only park without a gym or recreation. We don't have no arts and crafts. We don't have nothing," said Alexander.
Alexander is one of several people in the area calling on the city to make changes here.
He's part of the Mount Hope Neighborhood Board.
Last week, another member, Juan Cruz, spoke out at the city's Budget Review Committee hearing, asking council members to allocate funds the same way they do for neighborhoods elsewhere.
"We need equity. We need to be like everybody else. We need to be like the cities up north, you know, past the eight, we need to have those things. We need that for our kids, for my kids' kids," said Cruz.
Last year, the park did get a new play structure after the last one was destroyed in a fire.
The city also installed a nature exploration area.
But, neighbors say it's hardly used and has already been vandalized.
They also pointed out a growing homeless encampment, as well as run down bathrooms.
"We don't feel like we're being ignored. We are being ignored, and that needs to change," said Cruz.
“You see all these other neighborhoods getting all these wonderful things,YMCA’s, you know, stuff to bring the community together. We aren't getting any of that," said Jonathan Cruz.
CBS 8 learned a General Development Plan is in the works, but has yet to be approved.
On the city's website, it lists things like a new recreation center, dog park and ball field.
CBS 8 reached out to the city for details.
A spokesperson for the city said:
“The Mt. Hope Rec Ctr @ Dennis V. Allen Park project is in the City's General Development Plan (GDP) Amendment process, one of the first steps in upgrading any existing park facility. The GDP Amendment process will result in the creation of a new conceptual master plan for Dennis V. Allen Park, which identifies proposed activities and amenities to be included within a park and is developed through community engagement. The amendment process is in the early stages and is on schedule. The GDP is expected to be approved this fall. At that time, we will know what improvements the community would like to see at Dennis V. Allen Park.
City staff are currently coordinating outreach events with the community to get input for the GDP amendment. Those community meetings are expected to take place this summer. The first workshop is scheduled for July 10 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Faith Tabernacle, 616 Raven St., San Diego, CA 92102. Details on future community meetings will be posted on the City's website as they become available.
The current project to amend the GDP for Dennis V. Allen Park has $750,000 allocated, none of which are grant funds.
After completing the GDP process, City staff will seek additional funding based on what improvements are feasible to implement before moving forward with design and construction. Once these steps are in place, the project team will develop the project scope, cost and schedule, which will be posted on the City's Capital Improvements Program website.”
No timeline is set.
For people in Mount Hope, those improvements can’t come soon enough.
"Please, for God's sake, for our sake, for Mount Hope's sake, for humanity's sake, give us a rec center. We need it," said Maria Riveroll.
At CBS 8, we are always Working for You and our community. This is a station promise that we will go the extra mile to solve a problem our audience can’t solve themselves. We want to hear your ideas on how we can cover and help our community. If you have a story idea, please email us at workingforyou@cbs8.com.
WATCH RELATED: Mount Hope Community Garden creates a space of gathering