Friends of the Beach and Powerhouse present $30,000 check to City of Del Mar

On Nov. 21, Barbara Harper, president of the Del Mar Friends of the Beach and Powerhouse, presented $30,000 to the City of Del Mar. The donation represents the organization’s continuing commitment to the beach community.

“Not every project we do is glamorous,” noted Harper. This time the need was for improved bathroom facilities. Approximately two million people visit the beach at Del Mar every year. Public spaces such as restrooms reflect on our community. The Friends are committed to maintaining public space, so that residents and visitors can enjoy the beach.

The Friends have been working since the early 1990s to assist the City of Del Mar with ongoing preservation and enhancement of the Powerhouse Community Center, Beach Safety Center/Lifeguard Tower and adjoining public recreational areas. Over time they have helped the city acquire land, restore and improve the historic Powerhouse, provide a children’s play area at the park and, more recently, to help build the new Beach Safety Center / Lifeguard Tower. The group takes on large projects such as the Safety Center, and helps with smaller needs such as lifeguards rescue boats and, yes, restrooms.

Since its beginning the Friends of the Powerhouse and Beach have raised more than $1 million to support these community assets. Maintenance and enhancements have helped attract facility rentals and fees for a multitude of uses including senior activities, weddings, and other special events and gatherings.

Powerhouse Park is a year-round activity center. The next upcoming event is the annual Penguin Plunge on January 1 at 11 a.m.

If you would like to help in these efforts, please consider buying a brick or plank for the beach walkway. There are tax deductible, are engraved with a name or saying, and make terrific gifts. For information please go to FriendsofthePowerhouse.org.