For Immediate Release	Contact:	Michael Simonsen
December 9, 2002		619-236-6616 619-884-7335 Cell

Councilmember Frye Dedicates Serra Mesa Open Space

Dedication will preserve sensitive canyon areas

San Diego, California - Today, Councilmember Frye received unanimous support for the ordinance she introduced to dedicate open space land throughout Serra Mesa. Approximately 116 acres of designated open space will become dedicated park land with the adoption of this ordinance. The status change of this land from "designated" to "dedicated" would protect these sensitive lands against any use other than for park, recreation and cemetery purposes without a two-thirds vote of the San Diego electorate.

"I believe it is crucial to our community that we always do whatever we can to help preserve our precious natural resources, such as our beautiful open space canyons," commented Councilmember Frye. "It is my hope that by protecting this open space from development we will be providing future generations with the natural beauty that Serra Mesa has to offer and that we always have been able to enjoy."

Included in the lands to be dedicated is a large area known as Ruffin Canyon. Spanning over 84 acres, Ruffin Canyon stretches from Mission Village Drive to as far south as Friars Road. The canyon's unique shape and beauty has been a source of pride for the Serra Mesa community, serving as an area to hike and explore for nature enthusiasts and local residents for years.

Integral in getting these lands dedicated was the involvement and hard work from the Serra Mesa community. "The enormous support from the community throughout this process has been incredible," said Councilmember Frye, "So many people in Serra Mesa have shown me the great commitment they have to protecting our sensitive lands and keeping their community a beautiful place to live."

The Friends of Ruffin Canyon group has been committed to the cleanup and dedication of the canyon and has worked closely with Councilmember Frye in the effort to dedicate open space throughout Serra Mesa. Civic groups across the community, such as the Serra Mesa Community Council, Serra Mesa Planning Group and Serra Mesa Recreation Council have shown unanimous support for the dedication, culminating in a formal recommendation from the Recreation Council to the City last July for the open space to become dedicated.

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