Pickleball Courts Take Shape in North City as San Marcos Development Continues

Another piece of San Marcos’ North City community is beginning to take shape.

Construction is underway on new pickleball courts at the former North City Dog Park site near 222 North City, adding another recreational amenity to the expanding mixed-use development across from Cal State San Marcos.

The work is especially noticeable now that the former dog park has been cleared. Heavy equipment has moved onto the property, and residents overlooking the site have been watching the construction progress.

From Dog Park to Pickleball Courts

The property previously served as the North City Dog Park, a relatively simple fenced off-leash area consisting largely of dirt and wood chips.

While the dog park provided an option for residents with pets, it offered relatively few amenities compared with more developed municipal dog parks. Online descriptions of the former park noted its basic setup and limited shade and seating.

Now, the property is being repurposed for pickleball as North City continues adding residential, commercial and recreational components to the community.

Part of a Much Larger North City Vision

The courts aren't an isolated project in this part of San Marcos. They're surrounded by one of the city's largest ongoing developments.

North City is a roughly 200-acre master-planned community designed to combine housing, restaurants, shops, offices, entertainment and public spaces in a walkable district.

When completed, plans call for approximately 2,600 residential units, 1.35 million square feet of office and retail space, and 25 acres of parks, paseos and green space.

The community has already become home to restaurants, businesses, student housing and several large residential developments, with additional construction continuing throughout the district.

222 North City Brings Hundreds of New Residents

One of the biggest recent additions is 222 North City, the prominent 12-story residential building immediately adjacent to the pickleball construction.

The development includes 458 apartments and opened as the largest apartment complex completed in San Diego County during its opening year. The building offers studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom residences along with a collection of resident amenities.

Its completion brings hundreds of additional residents directly into the heart of North City, making recreational spaces and other neighborhood amenities increasingly important as the community grows.

More Recreation Is Coming to North City

The pickleball project is also part of a broader emphasis on recreation and outdoor space within the North City area.

A much larger recreational destination, Sky View Park, is planned elsewhere within North City. Current concepts for the approximately 16.5-acre park include pickleball and tennis courts, playgrounds, walking areas, exercise stations, an event lawn and separate dog areas for small and large dogs.

That means the removal of the original North City Dog Park doesn't mark the end of designated dog space within the larger community. New dog areas are included in the plans for Sky View Park as North City develops its more permanent network of parks and recreational amenities.

A Neighborhood Still Being Built

For longtime San Marcos residents, the transformation of the area has been substantial.

What was once largely undeveloped land across from Cal State San Marcos has steadily evolved into a recognizable urban district with apartments, restaurants, offices, events and public gathering spaces.

The construction beside 222 North City is one of the smaller projects within that much larger transformation, but it's a highly visible one — particularly for residents who remember the dog park that previously occupied the site.

As North City continues toward its long-term buildout, residents can expect the landscape around 222 and the surrounding blocks to continue changing.

Questions About Pickleball Courts At North City

Where are the new pickleball courts being built?
Construction is taking place at the former North City Dog Park site near 222 North City in San Marcos.

What was previously at the site?
The property was used as the North City Dog Park, a basic fenced off-leash area with a largely dirt and wood-chip surface.

Is North City getting another dog park?
Current plans for the future Sky View Park within North City include separate dog areas for small and large dogs, along with numerous other recreational amenities.

What is 222 North City?
222 North City is a recently opened 12-story residential development containing 458 apartments in the North City community.

Is North City still under development?
Yes. North City is a long-term, approximately 200-acre master-planned community, and additional residential, commercial, park and public-space projects remain planned as the district continues to build out.