The tower is now sporting new exterior stain and trim refresh to extend its life, another project of a new nonprofit public-private partnership.

The La Jolla Cove lifeguard tower has received much-needed maintenance work in the way of exterior staining and a trim refresh, courtesy of the La Jolla Coastal Conservancy.

The tower is 10 years old and sustains damage quickly due to its environment; the work was completed within two days with help from PaintGreen San Diego, conservancy board Chair Brenda Fake said at the tower’s completion celebration Dec 4.

“It’s extremely humbling,” San Diego Lifeguard Chief James Gartland said. “Lifeguards are out here to help people. We’re here to provide service. And it’s always just really nice … when a group comes and helps us out.”

The La Jolla Coastal Conservancy is a public-private partnership in the form of a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that collects private donations to carry out a number of projects to maintain and improve shoreline land from just above Coast Walk Trail southwest to just south of Whale View Point.

The conservancy is able to complete such projects more quickly than other efforts due to its securing a special use right of entry permit from the city of San Diego, with oversight from the Parks & Recreation Department.

“There is a transformation going on down here at The Cove with several projects,” Fake said, adding the tower refresh was “low hanging fruit; an obvious need [and] quick-to-do project that’s within our special use permit.”

The wood was stained with four ought steel wool soaked for several days in vinegar, according to Larry Gehrke of PaintGreen, as the iron of the steel wool is what creates the darkening. 

“It literally oxidizes the tannin in the wood,” he said, adding no further protectant is needed.

The tower will next receive new shutters, Fake said, pending funding. A landscape plan is also in the works.

For more information or to donate, visit lajollacoastalconservancy.org.