South Bay amusement park closes
A community staple for family fun and landmark in the South Bay will be closing after 41 years.
Fun 4 All Amusement Park and Family Fun Center off Interstate 5 and Industrial Boulevard in Chula Vista was a go-to for adults, kids, families and local sports teams for decades.
Sunday is the last day to have fun there. The landlord, a family trust, does not want to renew the lease, said Luis Romero, manager and one of the park’s four co-owners.
The park was small, but it was packed with activities. It offered an arcade with games including “Pac Man,” “The Fast and the Furious” and “Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection.”
It also provided 10 batting cages at “Slugger’s Alley,” an air hockey table, Skee Ball also known as “bowling,” Foosball table, go-karts, bumper boats and miniature golf.
Romero, 45, bought into the business 15 years ago. He is a longtime Chula Vista resident who attended local schools and graduated from Chula Vista High. He said as long as it’s been open it’s been community-oriented.
“We’ve always made donations for schools and churches, Little Leagues, the YMCA and Boys & Girls Club,” Romero said. “We hire high school students and at-risk youth within the community. A lot of people have had a part-time job here. For a lot of people, this was their first job.”
South Bay native and Fun 4 All manager Cesar Martinez agreed.
“Everybody that grew up in San Diego has probably spent some time here,” Martinez said. “I know I did. When we have told people that we’re closing, they’ve said that they can’t believe it won’t be around for the next generation.”
Romero said that over the years celebrities have stopped by. Last month, he said, Padres pitcher Tyson Ross visited.
It was a favorite place of youth sports teams. Little Leaguers would regularly visit to celebrate wins or just to have fun after practice.
“If you ever came here on a Monday during Little League season, it’s packed,” Martinez said.
Local celebs from the 2013 Eastlake Little League all-star team have been historic patrons.
“Every year we sponsor teams from Sweetwater Valley to Imperial Beach (60 kids total),” Romero said. “We set them up with pizza parties, each team gets an hour of free activity, a slice of pizza and soda.”
Last month, Arestides Echon, 39, took his wife Carina, 40, and their two children Jeanine, 14 and Joshua, 6, to play mini golf on a Tuesday afternoon.
“My job takes me away sometimes out of the country,” Echon said. “I like coming here to have fun with my family. It’s special to my children.”
The Echon family lives in Chula Vista off Otay Lakes Road and came to Fun 4 All for the first time a year ago.
“I saw the sign off the (Interstate 5) freeway,” he said. “It’s a place that’s close to home where my family can come and have fun together. It’s good outdoor activity.
“I’m surprised it’s closing because when I came before on the weekend it was very busy,” Echon said.
Romero said another company has bought much of the facility’s equipment.
“I am saddened that such a great family business, which brought years of happiness to Chula Vista, is closing,” said Chula Vista Mayor Mary Casillas Salas. “However, with some of the changes on the Bayfront that is happening, like expanded open space and bike lanes. There will still be places in Chula Vista to enjoy and be active.”
