Coalition to Preserve the Polo Fields Neighborhood

In 1983, the land in the San Dieguito River Valley commonly known as the Polo Fields was granted to the city of San Diego in exchange for the development of Fairbanks Ranch. This is a 114-acre parcel of land located at Via de la Valle and El Camino Real within the City of San Diego. The Grant Deed imposed restrictions on the future use of this land to maintain it as rural, public open space. The Fairbanks Polo Club subsequently leased this land for equestrian activities for over 26 years, with some other sporting events occurring in more recent years.

On August 8, 2016, the city of San Diego entered into a 28-year lease with Surf Cup Sports LLC, effectively ending the years of peaceful, rural equestrian use. Since 2016, the frequency and size of activities and events on this land has grown considerably, with increasing negative impacts on the surrounding neighborhoods.

Attempts to resolve the issues and concerns of the nearby residents and requests to adhere to the restrictions in the grant deed have been largely ignored by both the city and Surf Cup Sports. In response, a group of concerned citizens has now joined to form the Coalition to Preserve the Polo Fields Neighborhood, a grassroots effort to restore the peace, tranquility, and rural character of the community.

On April 13, 2023, The Fairbanks Polo Club Homeowners’ Association, successors to the grant deed governing use of the former polo fields property, filed a lawsuit against the City of San Diego for its failure to enforce grant deed restrictions that run with the land. The grant deed bars large assemblages of people and cars (currently some 2,500 cars a day come and go on event weekends) and limits use of the property to passive, non-commercial recreational uses such as picnicking, walking, hiking, and similar activities. Most importantly, the deed restrictions limit use of the property to 25 days a year.

In early 2024 a GoFundMe campaign was launched to support the ongoing lawsuit. Click on the link to view the GoFundMe page and/or to donate.

OUR MISSION

To preserve, protect, and secure the safety, peace, and rural character of the Polo Fields neighborhood by requiring the City of San Diego to enforce the Municipal Code, to address environmental concerns, and honor the requirements of the Grant Deed that runs with the land.