Representatives of the city of San Diego attended this week’s La Jolla Town Council meeting to ask residents to participate in the city’s first Community Recreation Needs Assessment.
Area recreation manager Juliette Suleiman, who assumed her role in January, said the survey will determine “where we are falling short” in recreation services citywide, including identifying programming and maintenance needs, barriers that limit public access, and understanding inequities from community to community and how to address them.
The survey is being conducted online at sandiego.gov/parksurvey.
“We are encouraging everyone to fill it out … teens, kids, neighbors, everyone,” Suleiman said. “The more feedback we get, the better that report is going to be.”
Suleiman said she filled out the survey and advocated more offerings for teenagers at the La Jolla Recreation Center because “there are no after-school activities, and when [that happens], kids get into trouble. A lot of recreation programming stops at age 12, so there is a gap unless the kids are doing after-school sports or clubs.”
The La Jolla Recreation Center at 615 Prospect St. could use more programs for teenagers, according to San Diego area recreation manager Juliette Suleiman. (File)
Virtual and in-person workshops will be held to discuss the survey, and Suleiman said she is “pushing to have one” at the La Jolla Rec Center. Workshops will be held in three phases, with each phase covering three San Diego City Council districts. The session for District 1, which includes La Jolla, is planned for later this year on a date to be determined.
The assessment comes after a 2021 audit determined there were inequities in Parks & Recreation Department programming around the city.
The intent is to have a final report and recommendations compiled by next summer that includes an assessment of existing programs, satisfaction levels, recreation priorities and more, as determined by community feedback and a consultant for the city.
Other Town Council news
Anniversary celebration: In recognition of the Town Council’s 75th anniversary this year, the board plans a multicultural festival Saturday, Nov. 22, at a location to be determined. It will offer food that represents various cultures.
“We want to recognize all the different cultures … in La Jolla,” said Town Council President Mary Soriano, who noted that board members are from places ranging from Burma to Nepal to California and from various cultures and faiths. “You are starting to see an evolving La Jolla.”
The celebration also will recognize past Town Council members, living and deceased, with stories and any memorabilia the board can collect.
Those who would like a booth at the celebration can email the council at info@lajollatowncouncil.org.
Next meeting: The La Jolla Town Council next meets at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 9, at the La Jolla Recreation Center, 615 Prospect St. The agenda will be posted in advance at lajollatowncouncil.org. ♦