Casco and Kuczewski have appeared during public comment periods at Shores Association meetings to ask the board to intervene in what they say is abuse of \u201crecreational rights and freedoms\u201d at the gliderport through the requirement of fees and skill ratings.<\/p>\n
They returned Oct. 15 with a slot on the meeting agenda, asking the group to write a letter urging the city of San Diego to evaluate their concerns and to reactivate the long-defunct Torrey Pines City Park Advisory Board<\/a>.<\/p>\n That board was established to advise the city Parks & Recreation Board during preparation of a General Development Plan for Torrey Pines City Park, the formal name of the gliderport property at 2800 Torrey Pines Scenic Drive. The GDP was approved in 2012 and the advisory board was discontinued.<\/p>\n While LJSA President John Pierce said the gliderport is outside The Shores\u2019 planning district, Casco and Kuczweski have \u201cbeen coming every month, and I just wanted to [consider] it,\u201d he said. \u201cIt is an issue and I\u2019ve seen kind of a blind eye to it, so maybe a letter of support will help bring some light to the situation. Other than that, there\u2019s not really much we can do.\u201d<\/p>\n The gliderport website says it requires all pilots to check in at the front office before setting up. They must show a current rating of P3 or H4 (intermediate or advanced) with the U.S. Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association or membership in the Academy of Model Aeronautics if flying remote-controlled aircraft. They also must pay a $10 day-use fee or have a $200 annual gliderport membership. Instructor supervision for fliers with a P2 or H3 rating is available for $250 per day.<\/p>\n Juan Enrique Silva, general manager of Air California Adventure, said the rules ensure a professional operation at the gliderport.<\/p>\n \u201cWe require pilots to be fairly proficient so everyone remains safe and enjoys their time,\u201d the website says.<\/p>\n Casco and Kuczewski also want a waiver allowing pilots who use the gliderport to fly without liability insurance, an idea that Silva calls \u201creckless and irresponsible.\u201d<\/p>\n Ultimately, the LJSA board agreed during the meeting to write a letter of support for the requests for a city evaluation and the return of the Torrey Pines City Park Advisory Board. Pierce told the La Jolla Light on Oct. 21 that the letter had not yet been drafted but added that it would not seek a waiver of pilot liability insurance.<\/p>\n \u201cCitizens are forced to go to the City Council or La Jolla Town Council or [La Jolla Shores Association]\u201d with concerns about the gliderport, Casco read from a statement during the meeting. \u201cYet none of those venues are equipped to resolve these ongoing issues, so it\u2019s clear the Torrey Pines City Park Advisory Board is needed to fill that role.\u201d<\/p>\n LJSA trustee Mary Coakley Munk made a motion for the city to \u201cseriously look at the situation\u201d and reactivate the advisory board. The motion passed 7-0, with trustee Joe Stalder abstaining, citing a lack of knowledge about \u201cthe districts that are covered within our agreement or others.\u201d<\/p>\n Silva told the Light afterward that the advisory board \u201cdid what it was required to do \u2014 come up with the Torrey Pines City Park development plan. Then it was disbanded. It cannot be reconstituted and does not need to be because it already did its job completely.\u201d<\/p>\n Other LJSA news<\/p>\n Streetlights: Though it was expected by the end of September, the activation of La Jolla Shores\u2019 new batch of streetlights<\/a> now is expected to take place between the end of October and the end of November.<\/p>\n The latest update is according to Joaquin Quintero, La Jolla field representative for San Diego City Council President Joe LaCava. A city representative later said the energization process can proceed once all the underground service points are ready.<\/p>\n A total of 37 lights \u2014 31 acorn-style post-top decorative streetlights and six cobra-head lights, which extend from the light pole \u2014 were installed in August, all with new circuits.<\/p>\n Walter Munk Day 2026: Following the 2025 event<\/a> on Oct. 4, work is already underway for next year\u2019s Walter Munk Day in honor of the renowned late La Jolla oceanographer.<\/p>\n![\"Fliers](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/gliderport-Kim-Weiss-1.jpeg\")
Fliers take off from the Torrey Pines Gliderport. (Kim Weiss)<\/p>\n![\"Joaquin](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/LJL-L-LJSA-02.jpg\")
Joaquin Quintero, La Jolla field representative for San Diego City Council President Joe LaCava, delivers an update about La Jolla Shores\u2019 new streetlights at the Shores Association\u2019s Oct. 15 meeting. (Noah Lyons)<\/p>\n![\"Guests](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/LJL-L-MUNK-DAY-PHOTOS-11.jpg\")
Guests at this year\u2019s Walter Munk Day make their way through a variety of tents featuring local organizations and institutions. (Noah Lyons)<\/p>\n