In August, La Jolla Parks and Beaches, Inc. approved a fall event for the Challenged Athletes Foundation and received an offer to dedicate Princess Street for beach access, as well as hearing a pitch to have Children’s Pool historically designated.
Kristine Entwistle of CAF told community park planners Aug. 28 that this year marks the 24th consecutive year for CAF’s annual triathlon involving cycling, swimming and running, which is held partly at Browning Scripps Park at the Cove. The event is on Oct. 22 this year.
“We are not making any changes (to plans) from previous years,” Entwistle said, adding, “Last year, due to the (high) bacterial (seal) levels we had to move the swim to the Shores (from the Cove).”
Entwistle said there will be “about 200 athletes competing that day,” noting the challenging triathlon is “one of the main fundraisers for CAF.”
The CAF October triathlon was unanimously endorsed by LJPB board.
Pam Heatherington, of the Environmental Center of San Diego, presented a letter of support for the parks group to consider endorsing, as well as disbursement of $1,000 from the account of Friends of WindanSea.
Kretowicz battled residents for years, insisting he was unaware there was designated beach access through his bluff-top property arguing his property rights would be compromised by passers through. He gave up the fight some months ago after exhausting all his legal appeals.
“Once funds are ready, we will use a surveyor to start the (trail) design,” Heatherington said.
“To show our support we gave them (Environmental Center) a check for $1,000,” said longtime parks planner Melinda Merryweather, who has long championed beach-access rights.
“This sets an important precedent for future transfer of funds between accounts,” said LJPB board member Tom Brady.
LJPB board member Ken Hunrichs also presented a proposal to work toward having Children’s Pool designated as historical.
“We’ve (residents) said the pool was historical, the city said it wasn’t because the beach was never clean,” Hunrichs said.
“It (Children’s Pool) used to be cleaned every day,” pointed out LJPB board member Phyllis Minick. “The city came in with trucks and cleaned those beaches every day.”
“I hear some groundswell for a working group,” said LJPB president Ann Dynes.