Marcy Park gets funding Ruth DeSantis, University City Community Foundation president, reported that years of effort has finally paid off. 
UCCF (Improve UC) was notified by Councilmember Barbara Bry that $27,141 was approved to fund the preliminary engineering for upgrades to Marcy Park. That means Phase II of the Marcy Park renovation is in process. For more info about UCCF, go to improveuc.org. UC Community Plan to be updated
There are four generic community “needs for update” categories that are being emphasized in the San Diego Planning Department’s “Community Plan” re-writing process. The elected committee of 20-plus members is a sub-committee of the University City Planning Group, and Andy Wiese has been elected as the committee’s chair. It is anticipated the new plan for University City will take approximately three years to complete, and will allow for public participation at their meetings, as well as a wide range of “input” opportunities. The four categories of focus are: 1) Population and demographic changes; 2) Enhancement of our quality of life; 3) Planning for necessary infrastructure; and 4) Addressing climate change. The next public meeting will take place prior to the UCPG meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 12, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The UCPG meeting will start at 7 p.m. to accommodate this. The meeting will be held in the conference room above Green Acres restaurant at 10300 Campus Pointe Drive, and will include a presentation on the feedback received from the Community Plan Update open house held last September, discussion of what the vision of the community will be in 20-30 years. The March meeting will discuss land use, specifically looking at what parcels/areas are ripe for change from the existing community plan. Discussion will include open space and public facilities (parks, libraries, fire stations). These meetings are open to the public and is the primary manner to provide input to the community plan. Documents related to the community plan update, which includes a link to the University Community Atlas (an intensive look at the University Community demographics, transportation, wildlife conservation areas, etc.) can be found at: sandiego.gov/planning/community/cpu/university. Agendas and minutes are maintained at: www.sandiego.gov/planning/community/cpu/university/subcommittee-university-documents. UCPG will hold elections on March 12
UC residents are encouraged to register in order to vote in the March 12 UCPG election. You must be registered as a general University Community Planning Group (UCPG) member before Feb. 12. There is no cost to be a UCPG Planning Group member and membership does not expire, but members must have current address information on file with the membership secretary. For more information, and to download the UCPG registration form, visit universitycitynews.org and search on “Get ready to vote!” UC Del Sol Opening Day
Join UC Del Sol’s Girls Softball League on Feb. 23 as they celebrate Opening Day 2019. A full day of fun and activities are planned to kick off the 2019 girls softball season. At the top of the fun list will be an appearance by San Diego’s Famous Chicken. The Chicken will throw out the ceremonial first pitch and judge the team banner contest, plus be available for selfies and interaction with fans. (And who knows what else!) Also appearing will be the Standley Middle School band, who will performing a few numbers. A jumping station, carnival-type games and a cookie design table will be set up for the little ones. The winner of the inaugural T-shirt design contest will also be announced, and those shirts will be available for sale. The first games will begin at 9 a.m. at Standley Middle School fields, followed by the Opening Day ceremonies, which will begin at 11 a.m. At that time, all of the UC Del Sol softball teams will parade onto the field holding their team banners. Then will be the marquee game of the day, which will include the ceremonial first pitch, and will occur around 12:15pm. More info at ucdelsol.com. Swanson Pool to reopen Feb. 24
Save the date! The spring schedule will begin Sunday, Feb. 24, subject to weather and facility condition. Swanson Pool, located at 3585 Governor Drive in Standley Park, offers both lap and recreational swim, water fitness, youth swim team and youth water polo, swim lessons and more. For program information, call the pool at 858-552-1653 or search “Swanson Pool” at sandiego.gov. On display at University Community Library
University City’s military hero, Commander William Brook Jr, USN, is featured in a display case in the University Community library through the end of February. He served in WWII, North Korea and Vietnam. Check out the display at the University Community Library, located at 4155 Governor  Drive. At 94 years old, Commander Brook is part of the Greatest Generation.