After years of opposing new events in Scripps Park, or at least wanting to limit them, the La Jolla Parks & Beaches board voted this week to support two events planned for the park next year.
The Strength in the City fitness event is scheduled for Jan. 16 and the Concours d’Elegance car show is set to return April 24 after a two-year absence.
The board historically has grappled with events that limit access to public parks and charge an admission fee. At one time, it even considered a moratorium on new events in La Jolla’s public parks.
Though Strength in the City has been held in San Diego parks, the 2022 edition would be the first in Scripps Park.
Applicant representative Madison Fray said during the board’s Oct. 25 meeting that the event would feature “two fitness stages … toward the back of the greenery with speakers pointed toward the ocean.” It also is to include a meditation tent, activity booths, fitness classes and more.
To minimize visual disruption, she said, stages would be no more than 2 feet tall and fences would be around 4 feet tall. The city of San Diego has allowed event organizers to sell up to 500 tickets.
Part of the park is to be used for paid guests who are there to take classes. Another portion with vendor booths and children’s activities will be open to the public.
LJP&B trustee Melinda Merryweather noted the board’s past stance on limiting new events and not “pimping out the park.”
“I wish we could leave our parks for the people,” she said. “It is hugely important, and every park is going to become a venue for someone’s cocktail party one day. … I think that would be horrible.”
In 2005, the board started debating whether to allow new events or put a cap on the number of events in a calendar year. In 2020, LJP&B narrowly voted down a proposal (submitted by former members of the board) to ban any new event in Scripps Park that charges admission, puts up fences and/or vends for profit.
Given that the permit is for one year, the board voted to support Strength in the City on condition that it be reviewed in any future years. There were no objections, though Merryweather and trustees Sally Miller, John Leek and Ann Dynes abstained without comment.
With much less discussion, the board also voted to support next year’s La Jolla Concours d’Elegance. …….