First erected in 1934, a monument to La Playa Trail — the “oldest commercial trail in the west” — has stood ever since in the median on Rosecrans Street just south of Midway Drive. The monument was in sad condition in 2005, prompting the formation of a local group to renovate it. That group, the La Playa Trail Association, went on to create a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization to “preserve, restore, enhance, promote, commemorate and educate the public about the La Playa Trail and the associated historic sites located between Ballast Point [in Point Loma] and the north side of Presidio Park [in Balboa Park],” according to the group’s mission statement. The forlorn monument was restored, a new plaque was installed and it was rededicated Aug. 23, 2006 in a ceremony on the median — while Rosecrans traffic whizzed by the 25 or so people in attendance. However, the plaque and inscription could only be read and appreciated by those awaiting the change of the traffic light at Midway Drive. Recently, improvements have been made to the busy intersection and it was necessary to move the monument. It has now been relocated to a grassy area on the east side of Rosecrans Street in a spot much safer to stop and admire the monument. The La Playa Trail Association has also erected a similar monument to commemorate the historic trail at the corner of Avenida de Portugal at Rosecrans Street and is working to restore others. In addition, the members are planning a new monument in the form of a model of a Chinese junk to honor the contributions of the Chinese who passed along the trail. For more information, call Patti Adams at (619) 887-9313, or visit www.LaPlayaTrail.org.