By TR Robertson
Monday was Indigenous Peoples’ Day and the perfect day for the dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony for Vista’s newest park, Wiivay Park. Located at 740 Paseo Buena Vista Dr., this interactive workout park is located along the Vista Conservancy Trail or Vista Conservancy Nature Path. The trail head begins at Brengle Terrace Park and follows along Buena Vista Creek, ending at Wildwood Park, located at the corner area of E Vista Way and Civic Center Drive.
This park has been in the planning stages for some time with a variety of meetings and the involvement of the San Luis Rey Band of Mission Indians. The area selected for the park was the former location of a Luiseno village, known as Wiivay, some time ago. Over the years, seven tribes were culturally and traditionally connected to this land. These tribes included the Pala Band of Mission Indians, Pauma Band of Luiseno Indians, Pechenga Band, San Luis Rey Band of Mission Indians, La Jolla Band of Luiseno Indians and Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians. The area referred to as Payomkawichum, People of the West. In and around this area are Milling stones, areas where tribes would grind acorns, seeds and grains. Buena Vista Creek runs along the other side of the park and flows all the way to Buena Vista Lagoon in Carlsbad.
Wiivay Park now has a variety of exercise stations that anyone can use along with instruction panels telling people how to use the various features of the exercise station. Along the pathway, walkers can find markers describing the various native vegetation growing. Wiivay Park also has several large placards describing the contributions of the Luiseno and other Indigenous tribes to this area, as well as the importance of Buena Vista Creek’s water supply in the development and growth of this area.
The ceremony began with Vista Mayor John Franklin welcoming those in attendance and emphasizing the importance of dedicating this park, honoring the history of native people who once lived around the creek. He said it was important that this park be dedicated on Indigenous Peoples’ Day and create a park that honors this site and the artifacts found here. He said the continued development of parks in and around Vista continues to make our town a special place to live. The renewed partnership with the San Luis Rey Band of Mission Indians and the creation of a wellness space remain essential messages for everyone in Vista to know. The Mayor also highlighted the importance of green space and further park development to build a thriving community. Mayor Franklin next introduced District 2 Vista Council Member Jeff Fox who said he was excited to see the continued growth of parks in the city and hopes this does not stop.
Captain Mel Vernon, Chairman of the San Luis Rey Band of Mission Indians, next spoke, introducing other council members. He expressed gratitude to the city for reaching out to them about this area and for the coming together and remembrance of the people who once lived here and their significance to the land’s development. Captain Vernon introduced one of the council members, who spoke about honoring those who came before and thanked the city officials for their involvement. Mayor Franklin next introduced some dignitaries present for the dedication, including city officials like City Manager John Conley and Assistant City Manager Imelda Huerta, Dr. Doyle from Vista Unified, Rachel Beld from the Vista Chamber of Commerce, Vista Fire Department and Sheriff’s Department Officers, City Public Works members and staff members, and many other people present. Mayor Franklin and Captain Vernon participated in the Red Ribbon Cutting and invited most of the attendees to join them for a photo opportunity.
Wiivay Park is now officially open and available for citizens or anyone who wants to add a workout on various apparatus to their morning walk or jog.
