Local Parks & Beaches board questions future relationship with La Jolla Coastal Conservancy

The recently formed La Jolla Coastal Conservancy was set up to help clear hurdles for private groups wanting to perform repair projects on public land, but it appears to be facing a hurdle of its own. 

A heated discussion broke out at the Sept. 30 La Jolla Parks & Beaches meeting about how that board and the Coastal Conservancy could work together, given that they both raise money and secure permits for projects in the coastal area. 

LJP&B President Bob Evans, who terms out from the board in January, is the Coastal Conservancy’s executive director. LJP&B trustee Brenda Fake is the conservancy’s board chairwoman. 

The conservancy, inspired by the public/private collaboration between the city of San Diego and La Jolla’s Friends of Coast Walk Trail, of which Fake is president, aims to provide a mechanism for private entities to conduct repairs on city land by using a “right-of-entry” permit and relationships with the city instead of starting from scratch for each project.

The conservancy has a three-year right-of-entry permit with an option for a two-year renewal. The group already has drafted a short list of projects it says could be done immediately under the permit, including repairs to belvederes, or gazebos, in La Jolla parks and fixing various beach access stairs that have been closed because of safety concerns.

The areas to be covered include Coast Walk Trail, Scripps Park, South Casa Beach, Wipeout Beach, Cuvier Park and Whale View Point.

Since a master right-of-entry permit covers multiple areas and years instead of one specific project, “the conservancy can bypass much of the repetitive city red tape that has led to months and years of delays in getting projects implemented,” such as repairs to infrastructure and supplementing city maintenance services, Evans said. 

Some people at the meeting noted that LJP&B already is engaged in similar work but is fundraising and getting permits on a project-by-project basis. In 2022, the group shepherded a project to create and install a picnic grove in Scripps Park and is working to develop a second one. 

LJP&B member Ann Dynes called the conservancy “wonderful” but said the LJP&B board should “be having a conversation about this organization and the conservancy. … I have the deepest respect for [Evans and Fake] and everyone involved, but this is a question of whether the conservancy pre-empts La Jolla Parks & Beaches for anything relating to Scripps Park. … This new entity has some overlap with our existing entity, and I think we should think about that.” 

She also questioned whether La Jolla Parks & Beaches should continue to raise funds for projects or revert back to its role as an advisory board.

Others agreed that there are questions and confusion about how the two groups could work together on getting projects completed and which would have superiority. 

“It’s a good conversation to have to get clarity and understanding,” Fake said.

LJP&B tentatively agreed to have a discussion about the relationship at or before its next meeting. 

Other LJP&B news

Moving projects forward: LJP&B meetings with San Diego representatives have been or soon will be held to help move some ongoing projects forward. 

LJP&B member Alexandra Corsi reported that in mid-September, the team behind the project to build a second picnic grove in Scripps Park met with city officials to finalize the permit application, which expires in June. The last step, Corsi said, is securing about $20,000 needed to launch the project. 

The plan includes relocated tables, improved access for people with disabilities, a new tree and a layer of ground cover with a paving material called GraniteCrete.

Also, in late September, the San Diego Department of Parks & Recreation reviewed plans for signs as part of the in-development La Jolla Coastal Trail, which would span from the existing Coast Walk Trail on one end to Whale View Point on the other with signs of various sizes to explain the area’s wildlife and history.

Conversations are continuing for that project, though Evans said the city “is favorably looking upon” it.  

LJP&B member Patrick Ahern said the team behind a project to repair the crumbling stairs at the Camino de la Costa beach access will meet in coming weeks with Parks & Recreation representatives about further input and next steps. 

Next meeting: The La Jolla Parks & Beaches board next meets at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28, at the La Jolla/Riford Library, 7555 Draper Ave. Learn more at lajollaparksbeaches.org.