Solana Beach City Council members again reviewed La Colonia Park improvements during their July 16 meeting as the master planning process moves forward.
In February, when the council last reviewed the plans, some of the feedback included additional park space, replacing an existing pickleball court with a new picnic area, more fruit trees and more parking along Stevens Avenue. The concepts of the plan the council wanted to proceed with include a youth center and senior center.
The city is also going to be working with the community on a long-term plan for the Tree of Life tile display, which honors the names of the Mexican families who first lived in the neighborhood more than 100 years ago.
“It is very important to the community,” Solana Beach resident Melissa Fischel said during public comment.
Considerations also include how much surface area will be covered by grass versus more drought-tolerant landscaping.
“I do feel like grass is park-like and I feel like we need that for the kids,” Solana Beach Deputy Mayor Kristi Becker said.
Mayor Lesa Heebner mentioned public comments about wanting to include a community garden, given past issues with the city taking over a community garden after volunteers stopped showing up.
“We gave direction for the permanent improvements to include a community garden but to have a Plan B in case we face the same situation, which was that all of a sudden nobody is coming to take care of the garden,” Heebner said.
Solana Beach City Councilmember Jewel Edson added that the focus is currently on interim improvements as longer term plans are developed for the park.
“The more bells and whistles we add right now, the less money we have to do the things we really want to do with the property,” Edson said. “At least that’s my understanding of where we’re at right now and where we’re trying to go.”
