Grand Avenue Bridge Celebration

Many thanks to Del Mar City staff, to Batter Kay Associates and to the many area residents who came to the Grand Avenue Bridge Celebration on March 30th for helping make the event so successful.

The Friends experienced a warm reunion with the many volunteers who had saved the Lagoon from development almost 20 years ago, and those who are involved now in redesigning the Bridge as an interpretive site and observation deck overlooking the bird sanctuary.

The day before the unveiling of three new interpretive signs, we found Public Works staff at the site. They had just installed the third sign, rearranged some large boulders to protect all three signs and were raking loose stones to ensure an attractive presentation. It was great working with them.

And although over 70 people attended, there was ample parking thanks to Community Services temporary covering of the no parking signs along San Dieguito Drive and Batter Kay graciously opening up extra parking space at the corner of Jimmy Durante Blvd. and San Dieguito Drive.

If anyone missed the celebration, one more step in creating the 55-mile long San Dieguito River Park, they can still visit the area anytime and enjoy its special magic. This time of year you are likely to see great white egrets nesting in the Torrey Pines on the hill above the Lagoon or hear the Belding Savannah Sparrow and Common Yellowthroat singing.

If you plan on visiting the site you might like a copy of the Friends’ Birds of the San Dieguito Lagoon brochure to help identify the birds and enjoy your visit even more.

Ann Gardner