Del Mar

Del Mar Councilman Scott Barnett wants to create a heritage park similar to the one in Old Town on a barren strip of city property along the San Dieguito River.

Barnett suggested this week that the nine-acre site near the fairgrounds would make a good riverfront park and would serve as an ideal site for several of Del Mar’s historic buildings, which need a permanent home.

One century-old house now sits conspicuously on the City Hall parking lot. Another historic structure houses a pre-school and must be moved by next year, when the land will be sold.

The Del Mar Historical Society reports that other buildings suitable for a heritage park are scattered around town.

Barnett hopes to see the buildings relocated to the proposed park and ultimately envisions a network of jogging paths and picnic tables in the area. He said the historic theme could enable the city to obtain grants to help finance the project.

The riverfront land currently serves as the city’s public-works yard and as storage space for a local garbage collector.

“It’s a mess,” said Barnett, who will present the park proposal to his council colleagues Monday.