28th Street Canyon: A Community Effort to Save and Restore
28th Street Canyon has remained undeveloped for more than a century.
In the early 1900s, the land was divided into parcels intended for home construction. But because of steep slopes and the fragile watershed, development never moved forward. For over 100 years, the canyon remained in its natural state—until May 2025, when a proposal emerged to build five 3,000 sq. ft. luxury homes on the site.
The Threat
In May 2025, neighbors learned of a proposal to construct five 3,000 sq. ft. homes on undeveloped land in 28th Street Canyon, with the potential for additional ADUs. The developers, architect Paul Benton and contractor Louis Beacham, presented their plans at a community workshop that was later covered by local media.
The project raised immediate concerns:
Loss of open space – The canyon has remained undeveloped for over a century due to its steep slopes and fragile watershed.
Ecological impacts – The canyon connects to Balboa Park’s Multi-Habitat Planning Area (MHPA) and provides habitat for sensitive species documented in the area.
Flooding and runoff – During heavy winter rains in 2024, the canyon experienced significant flooding. Additional development would increase hardscape and stormwater runoff into an already overburdened drainage system.
Community well-being – Open space access reduces heat, filters stormwater and air pollutants, and provides essential recreational opportunities in a dense urban neighborhood.
A Turning Point
On June 10, 2025, the Greater Golden Hill Community Planning Group held a special on-site workshop to review the proposal. The meeting drew a large turnout of residents, and local news outlets reported on the community’s response. The landowner was present and, after witnessing the strong opposition and concerns raised, began to reconsider moving forward with development.
From Resistance to Vision
Preserve Greater Golden Hill partnered with San Diego Canyonlands, a nonprofit dedicated to the preservation and restoration of regional canyons. Together, we moved beyond stopping development to imagining long-term protection and restoration.
Key elements of this vision include:
Wildlife corridor connection – Linking 28th Street Canyon to Switzer Canyon would create an 80-acre protected habitat corridor under the City’s Multiple Species Conservation Program (MSCP).
Ecological restoration – Removal of invasive, fire-prone species and reintroduction of native, drought-tolerant plants.
Fire and stormwater resilience – Nature-based solutions to stabilize slopes, reduce erosion, and filter polluted runoff.
Community access and education – Safe trails, signage, and stewardship opportunities for local residents.
A biological resource survey conducted by San Diego Canyonlands identified sensitive native plants, jurisdictional drainage areas, habitat connectivity, and fire risk concerns—reinforcing the need to preserve the canyon.
Building a Path to Protection
We connected directly with the landowner, who expressed willingness to work with us on permanently protecting the canyon. San Diego Canyonlands engaged with the City’s Natural Resource Management Division to explore the City’s land donation/gift program, which would allow the property to be dedicated as permanent open space and conserved habitat.
Because 28th Street Canyon borders Balboa Park and lies adjacent to the City of San Diego’s Multi-Habitat Planning Area (MHPA), it was logical to seek its inclusion within the MSPA boundary. However, a technical barrier prevented this: a 15-foot-wide strip of the Balboa Park Golf Course fairway separates the canyon from the existing MSPA. Under City rules, this disqualified the canyon from formal MSPA inclusion.
The setback did not stop the effort. Instead, Preserve Greater Golden Hill and San Diego Canyonlands began pursuing alternative paths to ensure the canyon’s long-term protection and stewardship.
Preserving the Canyon
Thanks to Preserve Greater Golden Hill’s decision to incorporate as a 501(c)(3), we were able to offer the landowner a charitable tax deduction for the donation. He accepted. And just like that, our grassroots coalition evolved into the official steward of a canyon’s rehabilitation and maintenance for future generations.
Interested in making neighborhood history with us?
Preserving and restoring this canyon isn’t about stopping development—it’s about creating a lasting legacy of open space, biodiversity, and neighborhood pride.
The team is now developing a long-term rehabilitation and management plan for the canyon, including:
Ecological restoration
Brush and fire risk management
Native habitat recovery
Educational access and signage
Ongoing community stewardship
We’re also continuing our advocacy to expand the City’s MSPA boundaries to include westside canyons like this one.
Be Part of Making Neighborhood Legacy
This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shape the future of Greater Golden Hill’s natural heritage. And we need your help.
Here’s how you can get involved:
Volunteer – Sign up to be notified for canyon clean-up or restoration events
Lead – Be part of the Friends of the 28th Canyon group to help guide the effort. Just email us and we’ll get back to you -info@preservegreatergoldenhill.com
