In a statement that San Diego City Councilwoman Jen Campbell just released, she calls for the closure of Sunset Cliffs Natural Park due to San Diegans not following public health orders around Sunset Cliffs, and how the park is more of a regional attraction and not just a neighborhood park.
Here is her statement:
“Since our parks and beaches have been opened San Diegans have, for the most part, done an excellent job following public health orders while returning to public spaces for passive use. Unfortunately, this has not been the case in Sunset Cliffs Natural Park or in the greater Sunset Cliffs community.
As I mentioned in my statement last week, Sunset Cliffs has been a concern. We have been working very closely with the Mayor’s Office to monitor the area this week. While I appreciate the resources we have invested there – it’s clear this issue is not getting any better.
Protecting public health has been a priority for me. I believe it’s time we take a step back to better assess the opening of Sunset Cliffs Natural Park to protect public health, discourage illegal gatherings and keep people safe.
Sunset Cliffs Natural Park is more than just a neighborhood park like Kate Sessions or Western Hills. As a regional attraction Sunset Cliffs is more aligned with Mission Bay or Balboa Park and therefore similar restrictions should apply. I’m asking for Sunset Cliffs Natural Park (both linear and hillside sections) to be closed in the interest of public health and safety. I look forward to working with the Mayor and city staff to activate this plan as quickly as possible.”
Perhaps, however, nature herself will remedy the situation. With the red tide organisms rotting, maybe the stench will simply keep people away.
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m really getting sick of Campbell. This is weeks late. Now she’s going to close access to locals the whole length of the cliffs as the traveling crowds decrease? Sounds about on point for her.
Goddamnit, just have the cops issue a few very hefty tickets to people who aren’t observing the rules, the word will get around on social media that the cops are enforcing the rule and there will be a fast improvement. Penalizing all of us, especially the locals, because of others is fucking stupidity.
Campbell has not been effective by any means…and she is terribly out of touch with the neighborhood.
People were crowding the cliffs because of the bioluminescence show…also the parking lots are closed and filled with cops. What are people to do but park in the neighborhood and walk down?
Even that picture – what I see is different household groups social distancing with other household groups. Stop this insanity!! its 8 weeks into quarantine – just stop
In the entire Sunset Cliffs area, I see almost no masks, and none being worn. Around the neck is the norm. Everybody has a dog – if you are thinking of getting one, the shelter’s are totally out of adoptees. If you are thinking of coming over from East County to walk your dog on Sunset Cliffs, there’s still the sidewalk. People are lined up elbow-to-elbow to watch the sunsets. If you don’t know the other people, that makes it OK?
Better late than never. I live in the area and it’s a mess at night. I haven’t checked but I was told yesterday that Sunset Cliffs is now #1 attraction on Trip Advisor. I don’t think a couple of “stiff tickets” would work unless they got a lot of publicity, which I don’t they would happen.
If nights are the problem, close the trail from sunset (or an hour before sunset) to sunrise but leave it open the rest of the day. If the red tide phenomena is the issue, check it out — it’s almost finished! For many elder locals, this trek is essential to our health and well being when walking the hills of Pt. Loma is not an option. Keep the trail open.
Just the other day, Bobblehead Faulconer was on CNN (as was the mayor of Oakland). All he really kept mentioning was “our beaches”. Never once mentioned the hiking opportunities out in East County, the fine Asian dining in Kearny Mesa, the apple pie in Julian, the great plans for Balboa Park and the Starlight Theater, or the ever-popular public transportation of SD County. Just “our beaches”. What’s up with that?
Ocean Beach in general has been a madhouse since they opened the beaches. Extremely heavy beach traffic w/no parking. Dog sh*t everywhere on the sidewalks, no masks. People circle around the blocks looking for parking… It’s absurd. I guarantee you that Faulkner or Campbell don’t live in the area, and if the do, it’s probably way up on a hill where the plebeians can bother them.
Maybe if all these a**holes want to come and walk on the beach, open up the parking lots and let them infect each other.
Not fair to locals. NIMBY or not, we don’t have the same resources as OB’s rich, white, heavily lawyered counterparts in Sunset Cliffs.