The Port of San Diego on Sept. 20 is scheduled to mark the opening of Ruocco Park, the 18th waterfront park overseen by the port district. The 3.3-acre park is located west of Pacific Highway and south of Harbor Drive in downtown San Diego.
A port district statement said Ruocco Park will serve as an interactive public space integrating hardscape, ornamental horticulture and public art elements. It is funded through a public-private partnership involving the port district and the Lloyd and Ilse Ruocco Fund, administered by the San Diego Foundation.
The park site, just north of Seaport Village, is the former location of Harbor Seafood Mart, and contained a parking lot and portions of a building that were demolished to make room for the new park. Construction of the park began in October 2011.
The park has a large-scale public artwork by San Diego artist Roman de Salvo, serving as a sculptural gateway to the bay front park. The artwork stands approximately 45 feet high and 70 feet wide.
