Fourth of July preparations and the future of Fiesta Island took center stage at the Mission Bay Park Committee’s (MBPC) regularly scheduled meeting, Tuesday, June 6, at the Santa Clara Recreation Center.
While the San Diego Police Department (SDPD) has received mostly positive reviews the past two Independence Day holidays for its increased, proactive enforcement on area beaches, the event still has its critics who say the city is paying too much to monitor drinking on San Diego’s beaches and bays.
Citing “a legacy of boorish behavior” from people who are “oblivious” to the true meaning of the holiday, Crown Point resident Al Strohlein urged the committee to ban alcohol on the beaches and bays from noon to 8 p.m.
“Shall this year be the last of the three-year test?” he asked.
As the SDPD moves into the final phase of its three-year plan to improve the culture of the boisterous event, the Park and Recreation Department is preparing as they did last year, said Mission Bay Park Manager, Div Brasted.
One of 2005’s most successful tools in keeping beaches clean was also one of the simplest: boxes along the beaches and bays. Freepb.org is again donating 30 6-by-3-by-4-foot corrugated cardboard boxes to be distributed along Sail Bay and the beaches. Seventy-five boxes will be distributed throughout the beach area, Brasted said.
One attendee requested that the Port-A-Potties along the beach be turned away from the boardwalk, where they create congestion.
“We turn them away from the residents,” Brasted said, who emphasized that the portable toilets must be accessible to beachgoers.
Cleanup efforts to remove the tons of debris beachgoers leave behind will begin early July 5. A group of volunteers, including I Love a Clean San Diego (ILACSD), Freepb.org and citizens, should have the beaches clean by noon, Brasted said.
Turning its attention to the Fiesta Island General Development Plan, the committee decided it would prefer traffic flow in a one-way, single-direction path throughout the park.
“People are used to it,” said Judy Swink, representing MBPC Council District 2.
Paul Jacob of the city’s Park and Recreation Department said that while a single path does offer some advantages, there are 13 potential conflict points between cars and pedestrians, while a two-way path offers only two such conflict points.
The traffic bottleneck at Mission Bay Drive is also a concern.
The committee said it would support a tighter cross-section of traffic to ensure that traffic flows freely throughout the island while leaving open space.
The committee also agreed that water use should be restricted in wetlands and that car camping should not be allowed at Primitive Campground, although a drop-off space is necessary.
The north end of the promenade should be used for bicycles and beach landings, the committee decided. They also agreed that Stony Point, a popular spot for events, should be relocated to the north end of the island.
The amount of space required for a successful dog park is an area of concern. A contained space of at least six to eight acres would be required, said Ocean Beach Planning Board representative Mindy Pellissier.
Far fewer least terns are inhabiting the beach this year, she added. Only eight of the birds currently occupy the protective beach habitats designed for them. Last year at this time, the beach was home to about 100 of the endangered birds. Predatory birds, such as ravens, might be the culprits, Pellissier said, although no one is exactly sure what is causing the dramatically reduced numbers.
Returning to the subject of recreation, there is no shortage of people who want to play beach volleyball and accommodating the demand for the sport is a priority, said Mike Singleton, a consultant with KTU+A Planning. The sand arena currently used for the annual Over the Line event would make an ideal spot, he said.
“We need to look at the water since that’s where everyone wants to be,” Brasted said.
The island’s prime beach area, Enchanted Cove, is often used by water-skiers, making it unavailable to swimmers.
Lifeguards post signs warning people not to be in the water, Brasted said
“Why not get rid of the water-skiers?” asked vice chairperson Bob Ottilie. “We don’t need to ‘grandfather’ everyone in and compromise our asset.”
“This is an aquatic park,” said Brasted. “Water-ski jumpers need a protected area.”
The community will have a chance to provide input on how they use the park and what they would like to see develop there at a public forum. Time, date and location information will be announced.
“This is so important because we’re really redesigning the park,” said Ottilie. “We’re on the verge of great things here.”
The MBPC will enter this new phase without the experience and expertise of Brasted, who is retiring after more than 20 years with the city’s Park and Recreation Department.
“I don’t recall ever working with someone as easy to work with and reliable as Div,” Ottilie said of Brasted.
“Your passion for the park has rubbed off on so many people,” added Rick Bussell of MBPC Council District 6.
Susan Gonzales will be the new Mission Bay Park Manager, effective July 12.
Ottilie said he hopes the Fiesta Island redevelopment project is completed by the end of the year.
He also plans to examine financing options, including joint ventures with other parks and a sales tax increase.