The weed-pulling “party” also served as a tree-staking, donation-gathering occasion.
The “small but mighty crowd” that turned out April 5 to Coast Walk Trail did much to beautify and rehabilitate the trail, according to Brenda Fake, founder of nonprofit group Friends of Coast Walk Trail.
The historic Coast Walk Trail is a path measuring just over a half-mile, running along the bluffs in La Jolla from Goldfish Point and Coast Boulevard east to Coast Walk. It’s a popular trail among residents and visitors for its views and ease of access, and Friends of Coast Walk Trail aims to keep it that way.
Hence the annual “Weed (pulling) Party,” which calls on volunteers to help pull several types of invasive plants that can crowd out native species and crowd the trail.
This year, volunteers pulled more than two tons of weeds, not as abundant as last year’s five tons, but still impressive given a delayed rainy season resulting in later weed growth, Fake said.
Fake will have a professional company come out in about six weeks to pull the rest of the weeds.
This year’s event also staked larger Torrey pine trees at Goldfish Point and stained older benches along the entire trail.
Friends of Coast Walk Trail also pulled in more than $3,000 in donations, some from La Jolla High School senior Jack Washkowiak, who sold his pottery at the cleanup event and raffled other pieces off for the effort.
All weeds considered, the day was a “really good effort,” Fake said, and prepared Coast Walk Trail for the busy summer tourist season ahead, as well as mitigating fire risk.
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