Lagoon Center Comment

Comment from San Dieguito Lagoon Committee:

Thank you for inviting the San Dieguito Lagoon Committee and other stakeholders to comment on the proposed design and interpretive themes for the San Dieguito Lagoon Nature Center. As the authorized sub-committee of the Lagoon Committee, we submit the following summary of the Committee’s observations, which were made at our regularly scheduled June and August meetings.

We are pleased that several of the suggestions made at our June meeting have been incorporated into the draft concept plans. However, we do have concerns about the collective size/square footage of the proposed buildings and hardscape, and we also believe that the numerous and possibly conflicting functions envisioned for the site must be narrowed down and clearly defined so that the resources to be highlighted are not overshadowed by hardscape and buildings.

The lead sentence in your draft narrative aptly describes a center that “supports an interpretive and contemplative experience and focuses on developing a series of de-compressive site and building experiences that foster a deeper appreciation and understanding of the River Valley, the Coast to Crest trail and the Lagoon and wetlands.” We would emphasize the word contemplative. We do not wish the center to become so busy with human activity that quiet contemplation becomes impossible.

We believe “form follows function” and strongly recommend that more time be spent defining the center’s functions precisely. We assert that, once this task is accomplished, a reduction of the building mass and hardscape should, can and will follow. In keeping with the above quote from your draft narrative, the center’s functions must truly focus on nature and the out-of-doors. Let it be a portal, not an obstruction.

Our subcommittee report is submitted separately.

Liz, Jan & Bill