THE PROBLEM: If Balboa Park is the crown jewel of San Diego, John Sharkey says it's losing a bit of its luster.
Sharkey has watched with dismay as sections of lawn on the western edge of the park off Sixth Avenue and south of Laurel Street have turned brown. Pickup soccer games on weekends have taken a toll, he said.
THE SITE: Dead grass in Balboa Park
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Sharkey said he was told by someone in Park and Recreation offices in Balboa Park that the grass would get some attention after the Gay Pride parade last July. After waiting 10 months, he called Just Fix It.
“They are letting it go to seed,” Sharkey said.
STATUS: Bruce Martinez, Balboa Park's district manager, said brown patches south of Laurel will get some tender loving care after the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon this weekend. Areas will be reseeded, topped with soil and cordoned off for up to six weeks.
Organized sporting activities are supposed to take place on the park's east side. Games Sharkey sees appear to be impromptu without set teams or a referee and are permissible.
Just Fix It noticed other brown areas throughout the park. Martinez said landscapers do their best to keep the park looking green. Lawns are watered in the early morning and extensive maintenance is scheduled around major public events, including the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon and Earth Day.
WHO'S RESPONSIBLE: Bruce Martinez, who can be reached at (619) 235-1124 and bmartinez@sandiego.gov. Maintenance requests for Balboa Park can be reported at (619) 235-1100.
IT'S FIXED: Caltrans has added a crosswalk on Mira Mesa Boulevard just west of Interstate 15. As we wrote this month, the lack of a marked crossing made it difficult for pedestrians to cross the street in the same area where cars exit the freeway.
Caltrans is not required to provide crosswalks, although newer construction generally includes them.
WHO'S RESPONSIBLE: Gustavo Dallarda, Caltrans' corridor director for I-15, who can be reached at (619) 688-6670 or gustavo.dallarda@dot.ca.gov. Requests for help can be reported at (619) 688-6670 or online at dot.ca.gov/dist11. Click on “Contact us.”
NEED A PROBLEM SOLVED: Is there a problem government hasn't fixed despite your complaints? Whether it's a missing bus bench or an unkempt park anywhere in San Diego County, Just Fix It might be able to help.
Complaint forms are at justfixit.uniontrib.com, or call (800) 820-8714.
