San Elijo Nature Center prepares to open
Two-story building includes exhibits, observation decks
By: Elena Cristiano

ENCINITAS ---- Finishing touches are being made to the long-anticipated San Elijo Nature Center set to open Jan. 31.

The $5.6 million "green" project on the north shore of San Elijo Lagoon was conceived more than two decades ago, and construction began in December 2007. The two-story building, made largely from recycled materials, will serve as a public educational facility highlighting the area's delicate ecosystem.

"The lagoon is really like a well-kept secret," said San Diego County Supervisor Pam Slater-Price. "It's amazing how natural and untouched it remains in such an urban setting."

According to Charley Marchesano, chief of park development for the county, the site will include "first class, state-of-the-art displays that describe the flora and fauna of the San Elijo Lagoon," as well as a wet lab where schoolchildren and college students can conduct experiments.

The 5,600-square-foot building includes an exhibit room, park rangers' office, multipurpose room, restrooms, storage, large observation decks and a gathering area.

Slater-Price said she has been fighting hard to protect the waterway from development since 1987, even before she was a county supervisor or served on the Encinitas City Council. The idea of a nature center was born back then, she said, but little money was appropriated and, while she was disappointed that county plans in the early 1990s failed, the new facility is "much superior" to the original proposal.

"We had the chance to be very picky," said Slater-Price of the lengthy process that involved years of design and public review. "We took advantage of every opportunity to use natural materials and incorporate the history."

The end result, she said, is a nature center that will "serve generations to come," will "fit in" rather than dominate the beautiful setting, and will not impede residents' views.

"All that," she added, "and it meets the LEED gold standard."

To get the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED "gold" rating the design includes high-recycled content block, steel, rebar, decorative glass and insulation materials, obtains more than 50 percent of its power from photovoltaic (solar) panels; and more than 90 percent of debris from demolition and construction on the site was recycled.

The building is positioned to maximize daytime lighting and heating opportunities, and interior features include a radiant-heat system in the floors, dual-pane windows and doors, solar tubes for free daytime lighting, and high efficiency lighting.

The center uses recycled water for irrigation and toilets, incorporates drought-tolerant, native vegetation for landscaping, and has a "green roof" that filters pollutants from storm water and reduces "heat island effect," which the Environmental Protection Agency says is when "built up areas are hotter than nearby rural areas."

Funding for the project came from San Diego County general funds, Community Development Block Grants, Housing and Urban Development appropriations, Proposition 40, and District 3 community project funds.

Marchesano was happy to report that the new "jewel for the North County" came in "on time and on budget."

"It's a wonderful facility, and we can't wait to get it open," Marchesano said.

The San Elijo Nature Center, on Manchester Avenue in Encinitas, will open with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11 a.m. Jan. 31. More information is available at www.sdparks.org.