La Jolla Shores’ community build weekend begins today, April 30 and runs through Saturday, May 2 at Kellogg Park. In an effort to construct a replacement beachside playground, Friends of La Jolla Shores and Kellogg Park Playground have enlisted community members to help build the new structure. “The community build will save approximately $23,000 and give volunteers the opportunity to be a part of this historic event,” La Jolla Shores Association President Jim Heaton said in a press release. About one year ago, several La Jollans said city crews removed playground equipment at La Jolla Shores’ Kellogg Park. According to Friends of Kellogg Park Playground’s Mary Coakley, city staff said the playground was unsafe. So Coakley raised funds in an effort to replace the missing equipment. Coakley formed a playground committee with local residents Tory Gulley and Greg Salmon. Together, they created a larger playground that would blend with adjacent Shores projects, Coakley said. “Originally we were going to put in a cookie-cutter playground, but because we almost lost the Junior Lifeguard program, one thing led to another,” Coakley said. The junior lifeguards inspired the playground design, Coakley said. The group designed one area featuring ocean-safety art panels and another resembling a mini-lifeguard station. “Each panel will have artwork,” Coakley said. “There will be tips for safety in the ocean; there’s how to do the ‘Stingray Shuffle.’ And we have a replica of J.J. the gray whale that [will replace dolphin statues], and there will be an etching of J.J.’s story around the sea wall.” Coakley said the group planned to unpack equipment today while the contractor digs holes. Throughout the rest of the build, Coakley says she is asking community members to bring their tools. Heaton said professionals will attend throughout the weekend, supervising the playground’s construction. “Employees from T.D. Grogan Construction, Coast Recreation and Landscape Structures will be assisting with the install,” Heaton said. “The project is funded by local residents with help from the City of San Diego.” For information or to help, visit www.friendsoflajollashores.com or [email protected].