Guest commentary: Landscaping and trash get attention from La Jolla MAD

Maintenance and enhancement activities throughout the La Jolla Maintenance Assessment District continued in June, including landscaping projects, sidewalk pressure-washing and litter control.

In addition to having their metal lids repainted, all 42 public trash receptacles located on sidewalks throughout the district continue to be regularly sanitized during each daily servicing.

Much progress is being realized in efforts to keep areas in the public right of way well-maintained. Thank you to all residential and commercial neighbors for your continued cooperation and support.

Many tree wells like this one on Girard Avenue have been refreshed with new rocks and plants.

(Elisabeth Frausto)

A special focus on completing finishing touches to the remaining tree wells along Girard Avenue hit a fever pitch this past month with all tree wells on this main thoroughfare from Prospect Street to south of Pearl Street augmented with the addition of various-size river rocks, pebbles, iris plants and succulents. These aesthetic additions have gone a long way in deterring pet messes and litter from collecting at the bases of what were tree wells filled with uneven dirt and invasive weeds.

The most visible landscaping improvement in June was replacement of failing potted rosebushes with succulents. Some of these now-thriving succulents are calandrinia, aloe “blue elf” and malephora ice plant.

Iris plants recently planted along Girard Avenue and Wall Street are regularly being trimmed, with special attention to removing browning and declining leaves.

Other small yet noticeable improvements include selective hand pruning of several juniper and cypress container pots along Girard Avenue and the replacement of coral fountain plants with succulents in containers in front of Girard Gourmet.

Lastly, low-hanging sycamore tree branches at the southwest corner of Kline Street and Girard Avenue and palm tree fruits at Wall Street and Girard were trimmed.

In anticipation of increased visitors to the district for the Fourth of July weekend, representatives of La Jolla MAD worked with the San Diego Environmental Services and Parks & Recreation departments to coordinate strategies for litter abatement efforts.

Special thanks to two members of the Enhance La Jolla board of directors who offered their respective business resources to assist with this cause. One of these resources — an 8-ton trash compactor — will assist greatly in helping to contain and consolidate much of the litter left behind after the busy holiday weekend.

The next Enhance La Jolla board meeting will begin at 4 p.m. Thursday, July 15, at the meeting hall at Mary, Star of the Sea Catholic Church on Girard Avenue. Visit enhancelajolla.org for more information.

If you see an issue needing attention, please contact Enhance La Jolla at (858) 444-5892 or email manager@enhancelajolla.org.

Mary Montgomery is district manager for the La Jolla Maintenance Assessment District. ◆