What's Happening in Encinitas, CA…

The Encinitas City Council recently gave preliminary approval to the idea of adding a grove of fruit trees to a city park.

The grove would be dedicated to Teresa Barth, who recently retired from the Council, and would be comprised of trees that bear edible fruit. The January 21 vote, which was 3-2 in favor of planting the trees, could make it possible for other groups to propose similar plantings in public areas.

The trees will be placed in Glen Park, which lies about a block from the Pacific Ocean. The park features picnic facilities, a children's play area, and various types of courts (basketball, volleyball, tennis, and horseshoe) for residents to enjoy. Currently, Encinitas does not allow trees that bear fruit or other edible plants to be planted on public property.

Although the council was split on whether or not to give blanket approval to the idea, everyone wants to see how well the pilot project at Glen Park works. Council member Lisa Shaffer said she believes the trees will serve several functions, including providing snacks for pedestrians in the area, and giving residents an additional resource to find food. She added that months of research and planning has been done to decide on which plants are most appropriate for the park.

City officials might work with a flyer printing company on a mailer for residents, explaining the project and asking for feedback.