Beach access, off-leash dogs on Fay Avenue bike path and the annual Taste at the Cove were vetted in May at La Jolla Parks & Beaches (LJPB).
Split a few years ago from La Jolla Town Council, nonprofit LJPB’s mission is to preserve, protect and enhance La Jolla’s shoreline parks and beaches.
Board member Sally Miller noted city officials came out recently to inspect the popular Fay Avenue bike path between La Jolla High School and Bird Rock.
“They’re going to red curb so visibility will be better for cars parked close to the entrance and exit of the bike path,” said Miller. “They’re also going to do ADA (disabled) ramps so path users won’t have to go off the curb.”
Miller said dogs off-leash continue to be a high-profile problem along the popular community bike path.
“There’s even a (path) sign that says, ‘leash your dogs,’ ” she said adding, “I rarely see a dog on a leash. It’s very frustrating. There’s no way to enforce it.”
Parks board members and audience members alike agreed it takes too long for the city to do repairs of stairs leading down to La Jolla’s beaches at numerous access points communitywide. The issue came up during discussion of needed repairs at the 100/202 Coast Blvd. Stairway.
“The city apparently has abandoned the idea of repairing the stairs saying they need to be rebuilt, even though that involves making it a capital improvement project (CIP) that would involve many years,” said board member Nancy Linck.
Council District 1 staffer Justin Garver noted “Public Works is looking into assessing whether the stairs could be repaired, or whether they have to be rebuilt. We should give Public Works a chance to get back to us about what it would cost, and how long it would take.”
“Our beaches are more dangerous than ever,” noted parks board member Phyllis Minick adding beach access stairwells are sometimes broken and chipped, even without handrails. “We’ve asked to have them adjusted, and have been told if they (city) touch it, it has to be ADA compliant.”
“That’s what I’ve been told,” concurred board chair Dan Allen.
The parks board unanimously approved the hosting of the annual Taste at the Cove fundraising event benefiting San Diego Sports Medicine Foundation following a brief presentation by Dr. David Chao.
Chao noted proceeds from the annual event, to be held Thursday, Aug. 25 this year, will benefit injured youth with limited financial means. More than 5,000 student athletes have received free medical treatment over the years through the program. Taste at the Cove features food from San Diego’s top-rated restaurants and includes a runway fashion show as well as silent and live auctions.