The Del Mar City Council voted Oct. 20 to approve a one-year contract worth approximately $170,000 with Schmidt Design Group for continued work on the Shores Park master plan.
The process has been moving forward again after being put on hold in 2019. On Sept. 8, the council adopted “guiding principles” and appointed Mayor Terry Gaasterland and Councilmember John Spelich to serve as liaisons for an advisory committee that will help guide the planning.
Schmidt will be tasked with ultimately narrowing down a set of three options to one master plan with “an illustrative model of park amenities, site furnishings, lighting, a conceptual plant palette, and a design,” according to a council agenda report.
Local residents reached out to the city with their suggestions and other comments. Many want to make sure the Alvarado House, which dates back to the 1880s and is in the care of the Del Mar Historical Society, is included.
“I believe that as we think of future generations, we need to realize that the Alvarado House is now positioned very close to the shore of the lagoon at the fairgrounds,” Carol Kerridge, a member of the Del Mar Historical Society, wrote in an email to the city. “As we learn more about the likelihood of Sea Level Rise, increased ocean storms and high tides, we could lose this valuable part of the history of our town if we don’t act now to preserve it.”
Others wanted to make sure there will be access for dogs.
“Shores Park has served as a vital open space for residents and their dogs for many years, and the decisions made under this contract will directly affect the future of dog access and the character of our shared community park,” Steve Pazol, a Del Mar resident and dog owner, wrote in an email to the city.