Grand Opening held for Harbaugh Seaside Trails

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Nature Collective Executive Director Doug Gibson, Gateway committee co-chair Janie DeCelles (McKenzie Images)

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Guests tour the newly planted trails (McKenzie Images)

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Dedication plaque recognizing George and Betty Harbaugh (McKenzie Images)

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Statement and art work at the Harbaugh Seaside Trails rest area (McKenzie Images)

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Part of the original coalition of people who made this dream become a reality are Gary Martin, David Winkler and Gerri Retman-Opper, along with her father Sam Retman, Bunny Scott, and former Solana Beach mayor Lesa Heebner (McKenzie Images)

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Kevin Shaw and Rozelyn Naliboff drop their messages in the time capsule, to be opened in 2050 (McKenzie Images)

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Kristan Schingler with Lane, Alex, Leslie Anderson, Nature Collective board member Jason Schingler (McKenzie Images)

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Anjie Lighterink, Inge Thornton, Pam Balla with grandson Fletcher, Carly Whitton (McKenzie Images)

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Rest area at the Harbaugh Seaside Trails (McKenzie Images)

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Encinitas Environmental Commissioner Carol Wolf, Senior Citizen Commissioner Kris Powell, Cynthia Cooley, Mary Tott, Encinitas council member Jody Hubbard (McKenzie Images)

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Encinitas council member Tony Kranz, Gateway committee co-chair Janie DeCelles (McKenzie Images)

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Nature Collective original board members Ira Opper and David Winkler, Jackson Balla and Joe Balla of the Harbaugh Foundation (McKenzie Images)

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Nature Collective Executive Director Doug Gibson (left) with donors to Harbaugh Seaside Trails. (McKenzie Images)

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Encinitas Environmental Commissioner Carol Wolf, Senior Citizen Commissioner Kris Powell, Cynthia Cooley, Mary Tott, Encinitas council member Jody Hubbard (McKenzie Images)

Feb. 24, 2020 10:22 AM PT

Nature Collective, the nonprofit that stewards lands such as San Elijo Lagoon, held the grand opening of Harbaugh Seaside Trails Feb. 22. The event honored many supporters, including The Harbaugh Foundation. Collectively, every donation helped Nature Collective save stunning and uninterrupted coastal views from development.

Harbaugh Seaside Trails is the three-acre coastal overlook, designated permanent open space for all, linking Cardiff-by-the-Sea and Solana Beach along historic Coast Highway 101.

“The grand opening of Harbaugh Seaside Trails is a long-awaited milestone rooted in community spirit,” says Doug Gibson, Nature Collective executive director. “So many people collectively worked together with us to save these views in a symbol of love for community and nature for generations.”

During the ceremony, hundreds of guests had the opportunity to tour the new trail for the first time. Native plants were installed on the property by community volunteers this past fall. The donor monument carries through the Coastal Rail Trail mosaic art theme with depictions of lagoon life embedded in handmade tiles. The shell-shaped viewing deck offers sunset watching and peaceful contemplation in nature.

A time capsule was dedicated by community leaders—to be reopened in 2050.

For more information, visit thenaturecollective.org.

Photos by McKenzie Images

Grand Opening held for Harbaugh Seaside Trails

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