Santee Secrets: Shadow Hill Park Has Something for Everyone

Not everyone knows about Shadow Hill Park (9161 Shadow Hill Rd) because it’s hidden in the heart of a residential neighborhood that doesn’t get a lot of traffic. But there isn’t a nicer, more tidy neighborhood park in all of San Diego County.

But this out-of-the-beaten path park encompassing 5.9 acres in the foothills of eastern Santee has something for everyone.

For those of you with competitive juices still flowing, there are two tennis courts and a basketball court. There’s a short pedestrian trail along the southern rim of the park that takes in panoramic views of the San Diego River and Iron Mountain Summit. The park also has two shaded play structures, a picnic shelter, picnic tables, barbecue grills and benches.

Shadow Hill Park uses about $13,000 in water annually. There is a natural picnic area across from the playground surrounded by native trees and vegetation. The park also has drought-tolerant  type of grass called “Seashore paspalum” that uses about 20% less water than other types of turf.

With Santee’s abundance of sunshine, we’ve provided for lots of shade. The park has an inventory of 200 trees, and there are 15 different species.