DEL MAR – SAN DIEGUITO LAGOON PARCELS

• The undeveloped lots are east of Jimmy Durante Drive between San Dieguito Drive and the river channel
  
  
• The Conservancy plans to purchase the remaining lots to ensure they remain undeveloped and to restore them as wetlands – their native habitat
  
  
• Strategic property – across the river channel from the Lagoon Boardwalk, to the west of the Grand Avenue viewing platform, and a connection between Crest Canyon and Pathway Del Mar and the Boardwalk segment of the Coast-to-Crest Trail
  
  
• The Conservancy has purchased 4 of the 13 undeveloped lots; five of the remaining lots are owned by the City of Del Mar and one by Southern California Edison

Location & Access

• In northeast Del Mar on the north side of San Dieguito Road, east of Jimmy Durante Drive, along the San Dieguito Lagoon
  
  
• The property adjoins the Grand Avenue Bridge, which is being converted to a wildlife viewing platform overlooking the restored San Dieguito Lagoon area west of I-5
  
  
• From the Lagoon Boardwalk, the property can be accessed by crossing the river on the Jimmy Durante Drive bridge and heading west along San Dieguito Road
  
  
• The property adjoins an area previously restored as wetlands, which is now being greatly expanded under the $86 million Lagoon Restoration Project

Click image to enlarge

Resource Values

• Borders river channel and wetlands with extensive birdlife

• Potential for wetlands restoration directly across the river channel from the Conservancy’s North Bank Restoration project

• Long-term protection will enhance the primary purpose of the Lagoon Restoration project – which is to provide viable fish and wildlife habitat to compensate for the losses at the San Onofre Nuclear Plant
  
  
• If all the Del Mar parcels can be acquired, they will provide a route for a trail connection between Crest Canyon and Pathway Del Mar on the Coast-to-Crest Trail
  
  
• Restoration of the area will extend the wetlands that have been and are being restored

Conservancy Role

• Conservancy purchased 4 parcels for preservation and wetlands restoration
  
  
• Conservancy has offered to purchase the remaining undeveloped parcels from willing sellers and has a plan for funding these purchases
  
  
• Conservancy is partnering with the City of Del Mar, which currently owns 5 of the parcels
  
  
• Conservancy is working with Caltrans for the purchase of the remaining parcels and for the restoration of the site as wetlands to mitigate for transportation projects

Management & Related Work

• If the area is purchased and restored, the property will be transferred to the River Park, which will manage the Lagoon Restoration area once the project is completed
  
  
• After purchases are made, volunteers will be needed to do the wetlands restoration, construct the trail and maintain the area