Several coastal improvement projects are forging ahead under the auspices of the La Jolla Coastal Conservancy, with funding from local donations.
As fall begins, the La Jolla Coastal Conservancy is sharing updates on three coastal improvement projects completed or underway in September, funded by local grants, private donations and other sources.
The Coastal Conservancy is a nonprofit that works in a public-private partnership with the city of San Diego to carry out privately-funded improvement and maintenance projects along the La Jolla shoreline from Coast Walk Trail south to Whale View Point.
At Coast Walk Trail, LJCC began proactive winter preparation ahead of a predicted strong El Niño year that could bring coastal erosion, flooding and mudslides with winter storms.
LJCC enhanced berms and runoff areas along the trail and installed small, rock-filled gabions at strategic locations to help slow and disperse stormwater before it reaches vulnerable portions of the trail and bluffs.
Additional protection, including straw wattles and sandbags, is planned as funding becomes available.
Continuing the initial bluff protection work started at Whale View Point by La Jolla Parks & Beaches, LJCC, in collaboration with the city’s Shoreline Parks team, added more post-and-chain barriers north along Coast Boulevard to better define pedestrian access while protecting sensitive areas from heavy foot traffic.
The barrier work, funded through a San Diego County Neighborhood Reinvestment Program grant, was completed by SoCal Outdoor Services.
Further north on Coast Boulevard, Eagle Scout candidate Ansel Kincaid and fellow Scouts Wyatt Belt, Luke Siddons and Tyler Mebust launched a restoration project of the aging white, wooden fence from Goldfish Point to La Jolla Cove.
The Scouts, under LJCC’s guidance, completed the first prototype section of the fence, replacing failing wood and adding marine-grade, stainless-steel bird protection wire.
Initial funding for the fence project has been provided by OluKai La Jolla; LJCC is working to close the approximately $13,000 funding gap and aims to complete the project by the end of the year.
These recent projects underscore LJCC’s focus on practical improvements that protect coastal resources, improve public access and address longstanding maintenance needs through partnerships with the city, county, community organizations, volunteers and private donors, according to LJCC Chair Brenda Fake.
Later this fall, LJCC will also take on painting the exterior of the Whale View Point belvedere, funded by money from BirdStock Music Festival and working on shutters at The Cove’s lifeguard tower, courtesy of La Jolla Sunrise Rotary, La Jolla Cove Swim Club and the San Diego Fire-Rescue Foundation.
