Monday: Shores Park master planning contract on City Council's agenda

The City Council on Monday, Oct. 20, is set to consider awarding a contract to Schmidt Design Group to complete the Shores Park Master Plan.

Last month, the council reaffirmed guiding principles for the 3.2-acre park site and directed staff to advertise for community members to serve on an ad-hoc advisory committee. 

The draft agreement with Schmidt calls for two tasks for the landscape design firm. 

The first is to develop concepts for consideration by the advisory committee and City Council that:

• Evaluate the pros and cons of shared or separate areas for off-leash dogs;
• Consider whether it is feasible to relocate the historic Alvarado House to the property; and
• Examine either remodeling or replacing the existing Del Mar Community Building on the northeast corner of the property.

Once a preferred concept is identified, the second task calls for Schmidt to prepare a final master plan for City Council approval. 

Open staff report

Related story: Council advances Shores Park master planning (Sept. 10, 2025)

Staff completes annual earthquake drill

Drop, cover and hold on. That's what City employees practiced Thursday morning—10:16 on 10/16—during the Great California ShakeOut earthquake drill.

Open website

SANDAG rail construction notice: Week of Oct. 20

In a weekly notice to the City of Del Mar, SANDAG covers planned construction activities for the Del Mar Bluffs 5 Stabilization Project and geotechnical testing for the proposed LOSSAN Rail Realignment Project.

Open weekly SANDAG notice

Contact SANDAG: 858-549-RAIL or LOSSANcorridor@SANDAG.org

Crime blotter: Oct. 9-16

Incidents: 0

Source: San Diego County Sheriff's Department

Sunday: Bike MS Bay to Bay cyclists in Del Mar

Up to 800 cyclists participating in the 2025 MS Bike to Bay event are expected to travel through Del Mar between 7:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 19. No road closures are scheduled. The two-day ride raises funds to eradicate multiple sclerosis.

Oct. 26: Dog parade at Powerhouse Park

The Del Mar Foundation is hosting its annual Halloween Dog Parade & Costume Contest 11 am. Oct. 26 at Powerhouse Park.

Costumed canines can capture congratulatory ribbons for: Most Original Costume, Scariest, Funniest, Best Family Costume, Cutest and Most Glamorous.

Register

Carol Kerridge recognized for environmental work

Only days after hosting a symposium on climate change, community volunteer Carol Kerridge returned to the Del Mar Civic Center Town Hall Saturday to receive formal recognition for her environmental work from Assemblymember Tasha Boerner.  

We salute Kerridge for her past service on the City's Lagoon Committee, support of the San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy and advocacy for Kumeyaay Indians.

SDG&E publishes "Public Safety Power Shutoff" info

During adverse weather conditions, SDG&E resorts to Public Safety Power Shutoffs to prevent wildfires and help protect communities. An SDG&E webpage provides information on the shutoffs and portal to register for notifications.

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Trash Talk: Did you know...

...that all food scraps go in the green organic recycling cart? 

Keeping food scraps out of landfills cuts methane emissions to help slow global warming.

Go Green Del Mar webpage

Monday: Late-night downtown power washing to begin 

Three straight nights of power washing of downtown streets, sidewalks and furnishings are set to begin at midnight Monday, DMVA announced this week.

The cleaning includes both sides of Camino Del Mar from 10th to 15th streets and both sides of 15th Street from Stratford Court to Camino Del Mar.

In partnership with the City, Del Mar Village Association schedules Urban Corps of San Diego to complete the cleanings five times per year.

DMVA looks ahead to Breeders' Cup

Festivities for the Breeders' Cup begin later this month ahead of racing Oct. 31 through Nov. 1. In a notice, DMVA provides complete details.

Open DMVA notice

Historian is Volunteer of the Month

Larry Brooks, longtime president of the Del Mar Historical Society, is Del Mar Community Connections' Volunteer of the Month for October.

Brooks encourages older adults to record their own personal histories.

“I encourage all DMCC folks to consider writing their life stories for their grandchildren," Brooks said in a press release. "It is very easy today with cell phones and apps.”

Open press release

Seeking PR Committee members

Del Mar Community Connections is recruiting volunteers for its Public Relations Committee. Committee members oversee website and social media content, branding guidelines, press releases, story pitching to the media and event promotions. Details can be found online.

Open webpage

Del Mar Community Connections enriches the lives of older adults with social and wellness programming and other essential services. Call: 858-792-7565.

Measure Q Citizen Advisory Committee (1 voting, resident member and 1 voting business representative [preferred] or resident member). Closes 4:30 p.m. Oct. 24.

Traffic and Parking Advisory Committee (1 voting, resident member). Closes 4:30 p.m. Oct. 24.

Sustainability Advisory Committee (1 voting, resident member). Closes 4:30 p.m. Oct. 31.

Committees, Vacancies and Volunteer Requirements