Community Corner

San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy Buys Landmark Gateway Property

The 3.44-acre site will be protected from future development, preserving current view corridors.

San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy closed escrow this week on the well-known Gateway property located on the east side of historic Coast Highway 101, at the north end of Solana Beach. The acquired property, referred to as the Gateway Park Project, will be used to enrich the popular San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve.

Located across the highway from Cardiff State Beach, the 3.44-acre site has long been sought after by real estate developers and potential property owners.

Repeatedly over the past 30 years, the Gateway property was visually distinguished by numerous story poles jutting up from the property, representing the prospect of commercial development on the hotly debated parcel.

Find out what's happening in Encinitaswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

To local residents and travelers along the Coast Highway, SELC’s acquisition of the Gateway will mean the preservation of current view corridors. To SELC, it will advance the organization’s function as caretakers of the lagoon, adding conserved space that will make the lagoon healthier.

Conserving this land as open space will ensure that sweeping views of the ocean and lagoon north to Swami’s and beyond will be maintained forever. SELC’s successful effort to secure the property will halt threats of construction on the site and instead provide an open space park and natural buffer to the lagoon.

Find out what's happening in Encinitaswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“Equally important,” said Denise Stillinger, president of the conservancy’s board of directors, “this purchase will enhance San Elijo Lagoon by providing additional habitat and refuge for birds and other species.”

Scientists at the conservancy are already evaluating how they will enhance and encourage natural growth of native flora and fauna on the property, as well as nurture various species of the existing wildlife community presently struggling to make a comeback.

“Currently the property is overgrown by invasive plants,” said Doug Gibson, executive director and principal scientist with SELC. “We will work very hard to restore the ecosystem that once flourished there while providing public access to the site in the form of trails and possibly a viewing deck.”

Financing for the purchase was pulled together on short notice when SELC got word that the property would be available.  Private individuals who recognized the importance of conserving the site joined together to loan SELC the $3.75 million purchase price. Starting in January, SELC must launch a fundraising drive to raise money to repay the lenders.  

Residents from cities surrounding the lagoon have long felt this landmark property worthy of remaining open space. The county’s approval of The Inn Suites project in 1986 was the impetus for Solana Beach residents to vote for cityhood.

San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy is a community-spirited nonprofit land trust dedicated to the protection and community enjoyment of the San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve. The mission of SELC is to protect and restore the resources of the reserve, its watershed, and related ecosystems for the benefit of current and future generations. SELC is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization.

-SELC press release


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here