La Jolla Parks and Beaches approves new belvedere at Windansea – La Jolla Parks and Beaches Inc. June 1 approved plans for the replacement of a…

The belvedere at Childrens Pool.

Belvederes, or gazebos, are roofed, open-sided galleries usually commanding fine viewpoints.

Belvedere project landscape architect Jim Neri has worked on a number of coastal park improvement projects in La Jolla, including restoration of the Childrens Pool Plaza.

Neri presented to La Jolla community parks planners a final design for the project before submitting it to the City.

The belvedere project includes the installation of an ornamental post and chain.

Neri said the new Windansea replacement belvedere will be similar, though much smaller, than the existing belvedere overlooking Childrens Pool.

Of belvederes and their function, Neri said, They are a quaint reminder of a days-gone-by era. They provide shade and shelter, especially for our elderly population. It becomes a destination, a place they can walk to and has some shade and shelter from the sun enabling them to look out at the beach and waves, enjoy the coast without being in the hot sun. It will be an exact replica of what was there.

Hes (Neris) worked hard on this project, said longtime community planner Melinda Merryweather, who has spearheaded the belvedere project. Its a beautiful thing what were doing, bringing back a La Jolla treasure that was torn down, and replicating it. That belvedere was the only bit of shade we had on the bluff at Windansea.

LJPB board member Patrick Ahern, who said hed originally had some doubts about the project, was satisfied with the new design.

I like the post and chain, Ahern said It will keep people from walking down the bluffs and really prevent erosion. I like the idea now of having the belvedere providing shade.

Neri said the Windansea replacement belvedere will be south of the Shack, about midway between Colmar and Rosemont streets on Neptune Place.

Its on a little slope leading down to the stairs, Neri said. adding the new structure will be just over nine feet tall which he noted will break the horizon, though it always did. He added, It will not be seen from the houses across the street because theyre higher up.

Concerning the belvedere projects timeline, Neri said he was putting together a Coastal Development Permit submittal expected to go before the City later this month for a completeness review.

Of the cost and duration of the project, Neri said, Its going to cost under $25,000 and will have to be put out to bid for a contractor to do who has experience on coastal projects. I expect it will take no longer than a month to build it out.

The landscape architect added he hopes for the construction of the new belvedere next winter.

Optimistically, its going to be 2021 before construction starts, and we hope to have it done by the next new year, Neri said.

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La Jolla Parks and Beaches approves new belvedere at Windansea - La Jolla Parks and Beaches Inc. June 1 approved plans for the replacement of a...