My journey . . .

At this point, it’s hard to recall how I first got involved. The Heights’ campus seemed like pretty much every other school when my son attended (up through last year) but I knew the buildings were aging and due for a makeover. Why not now?

Then I heard about the fields being shriveled – consumed by parking spaces, an internal traffic queue, and ballooning buildings. My first thought was WHY. I thought the community school population was either on the downslope or flatlined. Why in the world would those amazing fields be targeted in a rebuild of the Heights? It seemed so incongruous and unnecessary that I had my doubts as to whether it could actually be true.

But it definitely got more personal then. Those outside play areas have been a big part of my family’s life – they are our public parks.

It motivated me to start digging into what was happening, and why. I found surprises, so I took extra time to make sure what I thought I had discovered was actually real. I checked and double checked, sometimes more. I cross examined others about what they thought they knew, and I cross examined myself. I made calls to experts and government officials. I studied the documents again and again. I had a TON of help from many great people and could not have done this alone by any stretch, but this story is about my journey.

Most of what I learned is on this website, or soon will be. It’s different than what you’ve been told. I think there might well be some shock. I’m sorry if it upsets anyone. But I feel certain it must be shared.

The most disappointing thing I discovered was the widespread agreement in the community that losing the fields was a tragedy – yet the pervasive belief it was inevitable. Time and again I heard “I agree, but what can we do?”

We formed this organization to find out.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

-Margaret Mead

John Gartman
co-Founder
Play Outside Del Mar