Editorial: People-Powered

We have all chosen to live here because Del Mar is a truly special community. We are well known for our commitment to environmental protection and our careful attention to our built environment. But what truly differentiates us from many other towns, our secret sauce, is an extremely high level of citizen involvement.

One of the first questions often asked of newcomers is “why did you choose Del Mar and how do you want to contribute to continuing to enrich our community?” Over the years the answers have resulted in citizens jumping into community building activities in a variety of ways.

The formal way of involvement in government comes by being appointed to our boards, commissions, advisory committees, and task forces. The creation of our Community Plan by an assemblage of citizen committees was a remarkable piece of our history.  Political involvement is also at a high level, including campaigns at the local, regional, state, and national levels.

We would assert that the most critical ingredient in our secret sauce of involvement is the extensive network of non-profit organizations whose volunteers contribute so much to the culture and character of our town. Here are some examples.

The Del Mar Foundation (DMF) was founded in 1982, with Joel Holliday, Mayor Lou Terrell, and Bill Kerwin as the founding Directors. It is Del Mar’s community foundation and its oldest 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Programs and community events the Foundation sponsors include the Summer Twilight Concerts, First Thursdays and Bluegrass and Beyond concerts, DMF Talks, as well as the July 4th Parade, Easter Egg Hunt, Community Picnic, and Halloween Dog Parade. DMF also manages over $10 million in endowment and other funds for the benefit of the community, the Lagoon, and other nonprofits.

Del Mar Community Connections (DMCC) was founded in 2000 by 16 concerned Del Mar residents to support and serve the senior population of Del Mar so they may age independently at home. DMCC helps older adults live active, vibrant lives by providing transportation, education, and social activities. Their activities are supported by many volunteers, 13 dedicated board members, two full-time staff members, and drivers for the two DMCC vans.

San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy (SDRVC) evolved from the earlier Del Mar Lagoon Committee. Citizen efforts to restore the San Dieguito Lagoon had started in the 1970’s under the leadership of Dr. Nancy Weare. After the City of Del Mar created the San Dieguito Lagoon Committee, they adopted the San Dieguito Lagoon Resource Enhancement Program in 1979. Their leadership helped preserve the lagoon until the $86 million restoration effort by Southern California Edison in mitigation for the impacts of the San Onofre Nuclear Power Station. More recently, SDRVC has supported the acquisition of the properties from Del Mar to Volcan Mountain near Julian for the 70-mile Coast to Crest Trail, and it has helped fund the Del Mar Riverpath trail along the San Dieguito River.

There are many other Del Mar non-profits that continue to help preserve and enhance our community character. Here is a short list with links to their websites:

Del Mar Farmers Market (delmarfarmersmarket.org)

Del Mar Garden Club (delmargardenclub.org)

Del Mar Historical Society (delmarhistoricalsociety.org)

Del Mar Rose Society (delmarrosesociety.com)

Del Mar Village Association (visitdelmarvillage.com)

Friends of Del Mar Library (friendsofdelmarlibrary.org)

Friends of the Powerhouse (friendsofthepowerhouse.org)

Friends of the San Dieguito River Valley (fsdrv.org)

We are deeply grateful for the commitment that each of these non-profits and the people who power them have made to make Del Mar so special.