Fanuel Park's collection of sand toys—buckets, shovels, and small trucks donated by the community for shared use - was a staple of the sandy play area until the city cleared them out earlier this March, citing maintenance and safety concerns. This follows the park's playground dismantling late last year, further reducing play options for children in the area.
The removal came despite a concerted effort by Pacific Beach residents to preserve the toys. On February 5, 2025, 33 parents co-signed a letter to Mayor Todd Gloria and City Council President Joe LaCava, urging the city to leave the "tot-lot as is," as reported by Times of San Diego on March 12. The letter emphasized the toys’ role in filling a gap for families unable to afford group childcare or secure public transitional kindergarten spots.
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| Fanuel Park's playground looked like this from August 13 to October 21, 2024, when it was dismantled and removed. |
"This free group play experience helps fill the void in their socio-emotional education," read the letter. "Our children love to come to this park and look forward to discovering the 'new' toys."
Sara O’Connell, a 20-year Pacific Beach resident and mother to a 4-year-old, voiced her confusion in early February after a city worker announced the impending removal: "It was alarming because I don’t see how it costs the city anything, they all appear to be donor-provided." Despite the plea, the toys were removed, a decision that left parents feeling unheard.
The city's decision to remove the toys stems from operational challenges, according to Parks and Recreation officials. Benny Cartwright, Supervising Public Information Officer for the City of San Diego, explained, "The plastic sand toys that community members are referring to are personal toys that were left in the sand area by park users. Unfortunately, the toys interfere with Parks and Recreation Department crews' maintenance activities, including raking and tilling the sand area, litter removal, sweeping and clearing walkways of sand and other obstructions, and inspecting the area to identify maintenance/repair needs and other safety concerns."
He added, "These toys are not the City's responsibility to maintain or store on park property and impact the cleanliness of the park and surrounding area. In addition, the toys pose potential safety issues as parts and pieces may break off or deteriorate into the sand, as well as pose a safety risk for nearby joggers, walkers, etc."
Cartwright would not comment on litigation information regarding a potential lawsuit by a runner who allegedly injured themselves after tripping on a toy, leaving those rumors unconfirmed. The city now advises, per Cartwright, that "park users may bring plastic toys to the sand area for personal use but the City is asking for individuals to take their personal items home with them when finished and not leave them in the sand as they create issues for staff during maintenance activities."
This isn't the first time the Fanuel Park toys were removed. In summer 2023, a young woman was filmed gathering the toys into boxes, arguing with concerned parents who questioned her actions. She claimed to have eventually donated them, citing the motive of her actions being the messiness around the park. She eventually returned them after we at SanDiegoVille contacted her about the issue. At the time, parents considered purchasing a storage bin for daily cleanup, though the plan never materialized.
Sara O’Connell, a 20-year Pacific Beach resident and mother to a 4-year-old, voiced her confusion in early February after a city worker announced the impending removal: "It was alarming because I don’t see how it costs the city anything, they all appear to be donor-provided." Despite the plea, the toys were removed, a decision that left parents feeling unheard.
The city's decision to remove the toys stems from operational challenges, according to Parks and Recreation officials. Benny Cartwright, Supervising Public Information Officer for the City of San Diego, explained, "The plastic sand toys that community members are referring to are personal toys that were left in the sand area by park users. Unfortunately, the toys interfere with Parks and Recreation Department crews' maintenance activities, including raking and tilling the sand area, litter removal, sweeping and clearing walkways of sand and other obstructions, and inspecting the area to identify maintenance/repair needs and other safety concerns."
He added, "These toys are not the City's responsibility to maintain or store on park property and impact the cleanliness of the park and surrounding area. In addition, the toys pose potential safety issues as parts and pieces may break off or deteriorate into the sand, as well as pose a safety risk for nearby joggers, walkers, etc."
Cartwright would not comment on litigation information regarding a potential lawsuit by a runner who allegedly injured themselves after tripping on a toy, leaving those rumors unconfirmed. The city now advises, per Cartwright, that "park users may bring plastic toys to the sand area for personal use but the City is asking for individuals to take their personal items home with them when finished and not leave them in the sand as they create issues for staff during maintenance activities."
This isn't the first time the Fanuel Park toys were removed. In summer 2023, a young woman was filmed gathering the toys into boxes, arguing with concerned parents who questioned her actions. She claimed to have eventually donated them, citing the motive of her actions being the messiness around the park. She eventually returned them after we at SanDiegoVille contacted her about the issue. At the time, parents considered purchasing a storage bin for daily cleanup, though the plan never materialized.
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| Spring toys sit where the playground once was. |
Fanuel Park's play area has been in flux since August 2024, when the city closed the main playground structure, which Cartwright confirmed "was deemed unsafe and unusable due to substantial corrosion and deterioration of the play structures and footings, leading to its closure on Aug. 13, 2024." He noted that "on Monday, Oct. 21, the fencing and obsolete structures were removed, and the public can now use the sand area," and that "Parks and Recreation Department staff installed spring toys in the sand area in January 2025 to bring play equipment to the park."
However, the equipment remains a downgrade, with the spring riders - small ride-on motorbikes and planes - better suited for toddlers than older children. Cartwright acknowledged the need for a full playground replacement, stating, "In the long-term, a Capital Improvement Program (CIP) project will need to be initiated to replace the playground, however, replacement of the structure is an unfunded need."
He encouraged community involvement: "The City has an interactive budget process and the community is encouraged to communicate their budget priorities during this process. You can find upcoming budget meetings on the City's website at sandiego.gov."
The loss of both the playground and communal toys has left Fanuel Park, once a go-to spot for its beachside play area, swings, and scenic views of Mission Bay, feeling barren to many. City Council President Joe LaCava, representing Pacific Beach, has expressed support for a compromise, stating, "With the loss of the playground equipment, families would benefit from allowing these items to remain in the designated children’s play area. I believe we can find a solution which balances the size and quantity of sand toys without hindering operations of our Parks and Recreation staff." However, no concrete plan has emerged, leaving parents longing for the community spirit the toys fostered and seeking a return to the park’s former vibrancy.
However, the equipment remains a downgrade, with the spring riders - small ride-on motorbikes and planes - better suited for toddlers than older children. Cartwright acknowledged the need for a full playground replacement, stating, "In the long-term, a Capital Improvement Program (CIP) project will need to be initiated to replace the playground, however, replacement of the structure is an unfunded need."
He encouraged community involvement: "The City has an interactive budget process and the community is encouraged to communicate their budget priorities during this process. You can find upcoming budget meetings on the City's website at sandiego.gov."
The loss of both the playground and communal toys has left Fanuel Park, once a go-to spot for its beachside play area, swings, and scenic views of Mission Bay, feeling barren to many. City Council President Joe LaCava, representing Pacific Beach, has expressed support for a compromise, stating, "With the loss of the playground equipment, families would benefit from allowing these items to remain in the designated children’s play area. I believe we can find a solution which balances the size and quantity of sand toys without hindering operations of our Parks and Recreation staff." However, no concrete plan has emerged, leaving parents longing for the community spirit the toys fostered and seeking a return to the park’s former vibrancy.
Adding to the park’s woes, a recent visit on Monday, March 24, 2025, revealed ongoing maintenance issues: four out of the park’s 10 bathrooms were out of order, a problem that has persisted for some time, with the remaining six in a state of unkept filth, while multiple garbage cans near the park were overfull, with garbage scattered around them, further detracting from the park’s appeal.
For now, Fanuel Park offers limited play options - swings and spring riders - while families await a long-term solution.
