Parks & Beaches group explores bringing Del Mar cleanup program to La Jolla

In an effort to broaden its reach and impact, the La Jolla Parks & Beaches group is looking to partner with other local coastal care groups and open space conservation organizations.

At the group’s April 22 meeting, President Bob Evans said efforts are under way to collaborate with groups from Del Mar to Balboa Park, as well as individuals across San Diego.

Among them, he said, is a possible partnership with an environmental initiative sponsored by the Del Mar Village Association and the city of Del Mar called Del Mar ShoreSaver.

“It is designed to enhance the cleanliness and ecological health of Del Mar’s beaches,” Evans said. “So they want to have mobile docking stations with reusable baskets to encourage the community and beach-goers to actively participate in trash collection, turning leisurely beach visits into opportunities for environmental stewardship.”

The program started with one station but may expand, he said.

“If this is something that can benefit our community, I would like to bring this to La Jolla,” Evans said. “I think the program could fit perfectly into what La Jolla is about.”

An LJP&B working group will form to meet with representatives of Del Mar ShoreSaver and report back to the board.

“This can be a template that goes all the way down our shoreline areas,” Evans said.

Parks & Beaches member Diane Kane noted that if the program is brought to La Jolla, trash receptacles would need to be emptied more often.

“One of the issues with trash at the beach is getting the trash collected,” she said. “So once you get it into a trash container, more often than not they are not collected fast enough and they overflow and seagulls get in there and make a mess. So we need to make sure that trash bins are empty.”

Evans said he wants to put together a board development workshop that would include speakers from other park-related nonprofits or conservation organizations.

“I want to see what natural open space conservancy groups such as the Torrey Pines Conservancy or Friends of Balboa Park have to say ... and learn about their successes and struggles and how they work out their mission statements and see how they carry out their vision,” he said.

To expand the board’s reach even more, LJP&B member Ann Dynes suggested exploring a membership program.

“Insurance is going up, costs are going up. ... In terms of having an income stream, I wonder if a membership program would lead to support,” she said. “We do a lot of good, and that could help build our budget and build our support base. It could be fairly simple to do.”

Evans suggested Dynes explore what other groups do regarding memberships and costs and benefits and report back with a plan.

“I love the idea,” Evans said. “I think it just needs to be formulated.”

Mackin-Solomon writes for the U-T Community Press.