The annual “Weed (Pulling) Party” was the best ever, adding to a three-weekend total of 16 tons of invasive plants removed from the La Jolla trail.
Coast Walk Trail in La Jolla is now wider and cleaner, thanks to the efforts of a crowd of volunteers who pulled a record seven tons of invasive plants from the historic trail April 18.
The annual “Weed (Pulling) Party,” hosted by Friends of Coast Walk Trail in partnership with the La Jolla Coastal Conservancy, is part of a larger effort to beautify and rehabilitate the trail, which measures just over a half mile along the bluffs from Goldfish Point and Coast Boulevard east to Coast Walk.
The seven tons pulled, added to efforts by professional crews, brings the three-weekend total to 16 tons of weeds pulled from the trail, said Brenda Fake, founder of FOCWT and president of the conservancy.
“It’s unbelievable,” Fake said of the turnout and amount pulled, emphasizing that the impact of those volunteering their time is a cost savings of about $7,000.
The crowd of about 50 people from ages 5 to 90 included families, members of the La Jolla Sunrise Rotary Club, other companies and more.
The morning was fueled by donuts from Pavilions and coffee cake and coffee from The Cottage; The Home Depot donated $500 worth of tools and Ironclad donated $300 worth of gloves.
“We’re growing,” Fake said in appreciation for the national and local sponsorship.
The increased attention – and effort on the trail – is important because removal of weeds on the trail reduces fire hazard and improves the viability of native plants, Fake said.
“Three hours, one morning. … What an impact.”
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