On Sept. 15, the Friends of Del Cerro (FODC) held an in-person meeting for our members. Our guest speaker was District 7 Councilmember Raul Campillo. He provided a very thorough update on a number of matters concerning Del Cerro and our surrounding communities.

He announced approval of a $1,500 grant that will be used to create and present three different designs to the Del Cerro community for their input for updating the 60-year-old median entrance to Del Cerro from I-8 to Del Cerro Blvd and to receive community input on its design.

Several months ago, a hiker died while attempting to cross the San Diego River at the Jackson Drive Crossing during a storm when the river was running higher than normal. Since that time there has been a concerted effort to secure funding for a bridge. Councilmember Campillo was instrumental in working with Toni Atkins, president pro Tempore of the California State Senate, which resulted in a state grant for $1.5 million that will fund the bridge.

Councilmember Campillo also emphasized his effort to secure funding for the San Carlos Library. It is our understanding the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board will be issuing a letter by the end of the year confirming the property at the northwest corner of Jackson Drive and Golfcrest Drive is now environmentally safe, and the City of San Diego may now purchase the property. The funding to purchase the property for the long-awaited new library has been on hold at the city since 1995.

He then presented a certificate to John Allegra, an FODC board member, for his effort in working with SDSU to have the university install a more secure fence at the end of Mill Peak Road. The new fence has greatly reduced illegal entry to Adobe Falls.

Mark Allan, vice president of FODC and chair of the Princess Del Cerro Park Committee provided an update on the Princess Del Cerro Park. Mark stated, “Kelly Wood, our Park and Recreation Department Area Manager informed me funding has been secured to resurface the basketball court at the Princess Del Cerro Park in December. The FODC will then donate two new backboards to complete restoration of the basketball court.”

Take a minute and drive by the newly painted, and themed, SDG&E Utility Boxes adjacent to Einstein Bagels on Del Cerro Boulevard. This was a project by Girl Scout Troop 4438 that is based in Del Cerro and the Troop Leader is Deeanna Steffen. The FODC is paying for the paint used by the troop for painting the utility boxes.

Jackie O’Connor, president of the FODC, announced another community project is collecting information and interviews on the history of Del Cerro. Jane Klofkorn, also a member of FODC, is heading up this project. If you would like to contribute, please contact Jane through the FODC website.

For more information, and to join the Friends of Del Cerro go to www.friendsofdelcerro.org.

—By Jay Wilson, FODC board member