Though summer break is almost here for La Jolla’s The Children’s School and her project needs some work, Brianna Billings, a teacher at the school, says she’s optimistic her proposal to name the pedestrian walkway over Torrey Pines Road “The Children’s Bridge” will be explored again after it was met with skepticism from of the La Jolla Shores Association last month.
And LJSA President John Pierce says his group is open to working with Billings and ensuring that any future presentations are “rock-solid.”
Billings went before the Shores Association and the La Jolla Town Council in May with the pitch to name the bridge in honor of the nearby school — which was founded in 1972 — and another venerable La Jolla site, the Children’s Pool.
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But LJSA board expressed concerns about a lack of certain details in the proposal and the potential of such naming projects opening the door to over-commercialization of La Jolla.
Billings first landed on the idea after an enrichment class for middle-schoolers at The Children’s School learned the bridge lacked an official name. Billings and her class took their naming idea to the city of San Diego, starting a multistep process of garnering interest within the local community.
Taking on a project like this could show children that they can make an impact on local government and apply what they learn in class to the “real world,” Billings told the La Jolla Light.
She asked the Shores Association at its May 21 meeting to endorse the initiative. Board largely commended the effort but fell short of giving their approval.
“I think this is a good cause, but we might not agree with the next one,” said board member Dan Courtney.
Resident Janie Emerson praised the process of bringing the project to the association but added that it could set a precedent for private groups to place their names on public spaces.
Board member Kathleen Neil said she would be “much more open” to the naming idea if there were no public sign, which Billings anticipates being installed upon approval. Details such as the sign’s type, size and location are undetermined.
Billings told the Light that she appreciated LJSA’s .
“Their concern was that it could escalate, which was not our intention at all,” Billings said. “If anything, I think the kids would have been happy with seeing the name changed online.”
“I like that [board ] are concerned about La Jolla and it becoming commercialized,” she added. “I personally don’t want to see that at all either. I grew up in this general area and went to school here, so I understand that.”
No vote was taken on the item, but Pierce offered his assistance in tailoring the project to address the board’s concerns.
“I think it’s a great lesson for students to learn about civics and how the government works,” Pierce told the Light. “The changes I’d like to see is … a little more specificity. People are hesitant to vote on something where there’s no defined parameters.”
Such parameters, he said, would include:
• A detailed proposal outlining the rationale for the name
• Community endorsements
• Assurance that the new name would not reference any private business or other entity
• Specific details about any signage, including size, materials and colors and adherence to city standards
LJSA’s has already been communicated to the class, according to Billings, who said student interest remains high. She said the class already floated the idea to get community through online polls and in-person questionnaires.
“I was going to leave it up to them … if they want to continue,” Billings said. “They seemed like they were interested in still continuing it.”
With the school’s summer break starting Friday, June 6, Billings says the naming proposal will have to be re-explored in the next academic year, possibly in an elective course at The Children’s School.
The school compiles a list potential specialty classes, according to Billings. This school year it was a journalism course. Next it may be possible to establish a course related to the bridge naming proposal and other local causes, she said.
Regardless of the outcome, Billings said she believes the process already has had a positive impact on students.
“It was really cool for the students to see how accessible local government was — that you were able to ask questions and you got a response from people who are in the city of San Diego and also the local community,” she said.
“It’s important for them to know what it’s like to receive and pivot. And also, if … they feel very strongly about wanting to try and do something and they think it could benefit the community … I think they should try their best to … persevere.” ♦
