June 16 Report to Park & Rec Board
6.9.11 San Diego Canyonlands (SDCL) will make a presentation to San Diego's Park and Recreation Board on June 16, about its ongoing efforts to convert ~10,000 acres of City open space to "dedicated" land. The meeting will be held at 2:00pm in the Sante Fe Room at the Balboa Park Club (2150 Pan American Road West). The board will not take action on the proposal at this time but will provide input and direction before SDCL begins a required public vetting process. Dedication of these lands will provide a stronger layer of protection to important city open spaces and canyon lands. It will provide certainty and a framework for future urban planning and lock in "green infrastructure" benefits such as water and air filtration, species conservation, and access to nature for urban residents. Over 87% of the acres proposed for dedication by SDCL are "designated" as open space within Community Plans, however "designated" open space land has no formal protection and can be transferred, sold or developed for non-park or non-open space uses. In contrast, land that is "dedicated" requires a 2/3rds vote of the people before the property can be used for non-park or non-open space purposes.
Click here to read more about SDCL's report to Park & Rec and its City Land Dedication campaign.