The city council deliberated on a council member initiated agenda item at the council meeting on Wednesday, August 28th on the potential to use the L-7 city owned parcel of land. The mayor had requested that this agenda item be added with the intent to direct the city’s Parks & Recreation Commission to consider the creation and naming of a park on the vacant city owned site known at L-7 based upon the very generous $100,000 gift offer being made by Glen Johnson. Glen is a long time resident of Encinitas and lives off of Kristen Court, which is adjacent to Quail Gardens Drive.
There were numerous residents in attendance at the meeting including many from Encinitas Ranch. Over 60 emails were received by the council prior to the meeting in support of making L-7 a park. In addition, most of the speakers were strongly supportive of such an action.
After dozens of residents took to the podium, along with testimony from Johnson, the City Council voted 3-2 to direct the Encinitas Parks & Recreation Commission to explore the possibility of transforming L-7 into a park.
Council members Kellie Hinze and Joy Lyndes dissented.
In November 2023, the Encinitas City Council voted 3-2 to declare the property surplus, with Councilmember Bruce Ehlers and Mayor Tony Kranz dissenting. The council’s vote triggered a 60-day window during which local, county and state parks and recreation departments could request to lease or purchase the property for open-space purposes.
To read more about the meeting click on the following link:
https://thecoastnews.com/encinitas-boy-raises-1500-to-build-park-at-l7-site/
Efforts are underway to explore gathering donations and/or crowdfunding for the costs associated with building a park on L-7. Many homeowners had expressed their interest in such efforts and the community will keep everyone updated.
The following article was written and posted by KPBS in San Diego regarding the meeting and next steps for interested residents: