Prophetic Post

I wasn’t serious when I suggested in my April 6 post that “the Children’s Pool in La Jolla had gone to the dogs,” but now that’s exactly what’s happening.

In a move that’s bizarre – even for the City of San Diego – officials have decided that the way to clear the Children’s Pool of its harbor seal colony is to broadcast the sound of barking dogs from 6am until dark every day – possibly for years. The estimated cost is $688,934 per year. This includes the public address system, but not the cost of paying the police department to control traffic flow around the area and keep the pro-seal and anti-seal people from resorting to fisticuffs.

I kid you not.

I'd love to hear what you think about the seal situation. When you visit La Jolla will you go to see them? Please post your comments.

The Children's Pool Has Gone to the Dogs....er Seals

To fully appreciate La Jolla's Children's Pool - the lovely little cove along Coast Boulevard where the seals hang out - it helps to know the back story.

In 1931, philanthropist Ellen Browning Scripps funded the construction of a sea wall around the cove so that La Jolla kids would have a safe place to swim. All was well until about ten years ago when seal numbers in the area increased noticeably and, in fact, the area became a rookery.

At this point, some La Jollans began defending the rights of the seals and others became very vociferous about how this should be a place for children, blah, blah, blah. At times the battle bordered on ridiculous and, of course, it ended up in court.

The city (remember, La Jolla is part of San Diego) roped off the area so that humans couldn't pester the seals, but in 2005 a judge ordered the rope removed. The judge also directed the city to reduce the bacteria level in the area so that it would be safe for swimming.

The California Supreme Court has refused to overturn the ruling, and to dredge or not to dredge is hotly debated every week in the two La Jolla newspapers. In the meantime, pro-seal volunteers patrol the area 24/7 and answer visitors' questions.

March and April are great months to visit the Children's Pool because it's pupping season - and while you're there, you might say thanks to the seal's tireless supporters.