Hello fellow Avilones. One of my all-time favorite songs of the season was recorded by Sly and the Family Stone. “Hot Fun in the Summer Time”……..ah “them summer days, those summer days” really expresses it for me. Those of you with memories back to 1969 surely remember the jingle and lyrics, which invoke thoughts of simpler times and joys. Fortunately, we Avilones live here near the ocean, so a piece of those memories are always only a few steps away. This leads me to the topic of my column this month – that being life in Avila Beach.
First, let me thank the 109 of you who took the time to complete the online Avila Speaks survey we conducted last month. You shared your ideas and concerns, articulated your satisfactions and frustrations, and proved that our way of life here on the Central Coast is one worth protecting and improving. While I plan on making the full survey results available for viewing on the Foundation’s website by the time you read this column, I now offer some highlights for your perusal. Admittedly, I was excited to learn that nearly 91% of survey respondents were aware of the Avila Beach Foundation and our role in the community. Comparatively, our questionnaire 3+ years ago reflected only a 66% familiarity figure. So, one can assume we’ve done a good job in the area of outreach and impact. Early in the survey we sought to discover the most popular activities in which the locals engage. Not surprising is that over 90% of respondents visit the beach, patronize Avila restaurants/delis/markets, use the Bob Jones Trail – while about 85% attend Friday Farmers’ Market. Further down the scale 68% of respondents shop at Avila retail establishments, 63% use or refer Avila lodging, 56% visit the Lighthouse, 42% go wine tasting locally, 36% visit the Central Coast Aquarium, 35% play golf, 27% utilize spa services, and 19% take classes at the Community Center. Clearly, we residents of Avila derive a great deal of enjoyment from the opportunities situated right in our backyard. And since communicating the goings-on in Avila is important for all who rely upon public patronage, we also polled the ways people stay informed of local events and activities. The Avila Community News is the number one source at 82%, The Tribune came in at 42%, New Times at 36%, Avila Beach Facebook at 24%, and VisitAvilaBeach.com website at 17%.
If ever we pried the lid off a “Pandora’s Box” or “Can of Worms” (your choice) it was through the survey question; “in your opinion, what is lacking or missing in Avila Beach that would make living here even better?” The hot button items, likely to no one’s surprise, include Avila parking and traffic problems, littering, danger on the Bob Jones Trail, more safety enforcement during special events and high season weekends, loss of golf cart parking near the golf course and Jones Trail extension entrance, lack of variety in eating and shopping establishments, desire for expanded Avila Trolley services, and need for public transportation into other parts of the county. Each of the aforementioned appeared numerous times among the 80 responses submitted. A few even wished to see a full service grocery store and gas station as conveniences for us locals who have to leave town for the same. I could read the passion and anxieties into the verbiage shared by those who believe Avila has become, sadly, more of a destination than a lovely, peaceful place to reside. Likewise I can appreciate the thoughts of those who feel everything is great just the way it is now. While not everything that was shared can be realistically solved, some could if we as a community care enough to come together and make it happen.
Next, the survey headed into other waters, as we sought input for some project ideas that have emerged through various input vehicles the past few years. Among the most popular responses were to establish an Avila Art festival, to hold an event that features Avila wines and See Canyon apples, the convening of citizens and local stakeholders to investigate ways to turn Avila Beach into a golf cart-friendly community, to establish a 5/10 K run in conjunction with an Avila Wellness event, to bring the SLO County Mobile Library back to Avila Beach, to hold a fireworks show on a non-holiday weekend, to build a community garden, and to hold document shredding days at the Community Center. Each of these was mentioned by between 25%-50% of respondents. This section also contained an open comments opportunity, and more than two dozen respondents offered other suggestions and made their feelings known on a variety of local issues. Lacking room in this column to share those comments, I invite interested individuals to visit our website – avilabeachfoundation.org - to view entire results of the survey.
Of great importance to the “Foundation” is how survey respondents viewed our organization and how they would rank, in order of performance and value to the community, the work we do. On a scale of one to five - with one being of highest priority – the tally showed of top importance (with a score of 2.2) was grant-making to local non-profit and public service organizations, and for special community projects. Next (with a score of 2.3) was the fostering of community enhancement projects such as the new Avila Pier telescope, commercial trash bins on the Promenade, the new signs on the Bob Jones Trail, etc. Third in importance (with a score of 3.4) is continued awareness building through the Avila Community News, the Foundation’s E-newsletter, Avila Alerts, etc., and tied for fourth in importance (with scores of 3.5) are the hosting of outreach activities such as the Avila Beach Town Hall Forums, Live Well Symposium, Avila History and Heritage presentations, etc., and taking steps to increase the amount of financial resources available for community projects and enhancements. I was heartened to learn that 63% of survey respondents are interested in attending a small group gathering to discuss the future of Avila Beach. We will strive to convene these folks to gain even greater insights, suggestions and ideas. It will be this feedback, coupled with the data compiled from the survey, that “Foundation” Trustees will build our plan of action for the coming years.
Last, but not least, I am happy to announce the prize-winners randomly drawn from those who completed our survey. The lucky winner of a $100 gift card at Custom House or Ventana Grill is Heather Snowdy. The two winners of a Saturday Trolley tour for two to the historic Point San Luis Lighthouse are Bruce Cheek and John Bono, and the winner of a 2-hour kayak or paddleboard session for two courtesy of Avila Beach Paddle Sports is Jean Slater. Congratulations to our winners, and thanks for taking part in our survey. Plus, a special “shout-out” of appreciation to our friends at Old Custom House, Point San Luis Lighthouse Keepers, and Avila Beach Paddle Sports for generously donating the drawing prizes. That’s about it for now, fellow Avilones. See you at the beach!!!
First, let me thank the 109 of you who took the time to complete the online Avila Speaks survey we conducted last month. You shared your ideas and concerns, articulated your satisfactions and frustrations, and proved that our way of life here on the Central Coast is one worth protecting and improving. While I plan on making the full survey results available for viewing on the Foundation’s website by the time you read this column, I now offer some highlights for your perusal. Admittedly, I was excited to learn that nearly 91% of survey respondents were aware of the Avila Beach Foundation and our role in the community. Comparatively, our questionnaire 3+ years ago reflected only a 66% familiarity figure. So, one can assume we’ve done a good job in the area of outreach and impact. Early in the survey we sought to discover the most popular activities in which the locals engage. Not surprising is that over 90% of respondents visit the beach, patronize Avila restaurants/delis/markets, use the Bob Jones Trail – while about 85% attend Friday Farmers’ Market. Further down the scale 68% of respondents shop at Avila retail establishments, 63% use or refer Avila lodging, 56% visit the Lighthouse, 42% go wine tasting locally, 36% visit the Central Coast Aquarium, 35% play golf, 27% utilize spa services, and 19% take classes at the Community Center. Clearly, we residents of Avila derive a great deal of enjoyment from the opportunities situated right in our backyard. And since communicating the goings-on in Avila is important for all who rely upon public patronage, we also polled the ways people stay informed of local events and activities. The Avila Community News is the number one source at 82%, The Tribune came in at 42%, New Times at 36%, Avila Beach Facebook at 24%, and VisitAvilaBeach.com website at 17%.
If ever we pried the lid off a “Pandora’s Box” or “Can of Worms” (your choice) it was through the survey question; “in your opinion, what is lacking or missing in Avila Beach that would make living here even better?” The hot button items, likely to no one’s surprise, include Avila parking and traffic problems, littering, danger on the Bob Jones Trail, more safety enforcement during special events and high season weekends, loss of golf cart parking near the golf course and Jones Trail extension entrance, lack of variety in eating and shopping establishments, desire for expanded Avila Trolley services, and need for public transportation into other parts of the county. Each of the aforementioned appeared numerous times among the 80 responses submitted. A few even wished to see a full service grocery store and gas station as conveniences for us locals who have to leave town for the same. I could read the passion and anxieties into the verbiage shared by those who believe Avila has become, sadly, more of a destination than a lovely, peaceful place to reside. Likewise I can appreciate the thoughts of those who feel everything is great just the way it is now. While not everything that was shared can be realistically solved, some could if we as a community care enough to come together and make it happen.
Next, the survey headed into other waters, as we sought input for some project ideas that have emerged through various input vehicles the past few years. Among the most popular responses were to establish an Avila Art festival, to hold an event that features Avila wines and See Canyon apples, the convening of citizens and local stakeholders to investigate ways to turn Avila Beach into a golf cart-friendly community, to establish a 5/10 K run in conjunction with an Avila Wellness event, to bring the SLO County Mobile Library back to Avila Beach, to hold a fireworks show on a non-holiday weekend, to build a community garden, and to hold document shredding days at the Community Center. Each of these was mentioned by between 25%-50% of respondents. This section also contained an open comments opportunity, and more than two dozen respondents offered other suggestions and made their feelings known on a variety of local issues. Lacking room in this column to share those comments, I invite interested individuals to visit our website – avilabeachfoundation.org - to view entire results of the survey.
Of great importance to the “Foundation” is how survey respondents viewed our organization and how they would rank, in order of performance and value to the community, the work we do. On a scale of one to five - with one being of highest priority – the tally showed of top importance (with a score of 2.2) was grant-making to local non-profit and public service organizations, and for special community projects. Next (with a score of 2.3) was the fostering of community enhancement projects such as the new Avila Pier telescope, commercial trash bins on the Promenade, the new signs on the Bob Jones Trail, etc. Third in importance (with a score of 3.4) is continued awareness building through the Avila Community News, the Foundation’s E-newsletter, Avila Alerts, etc., and tied for fourth in importance (with scores of 3.5) are the hosting of outreach activities such as the Avila Beach Town Hall Forums, Live Well Symposium, Avila History and Heritage presentations, etc., and taking steps to increase the amount of financial resources available for community projects and enhancements. I was heartened to learn that 63% of survey respondents are interested in attending a small group gathering to discuss the future of Avila Beach. We will strive to convene these folks to gain even greater insights, suggestions and ideas. It will be this feedback, coupled with the data compiled from the survey, that “Foundation” Trustees will build our plan of action for the coming years.
Last, but not least, I am happy to announce the prize-winners randomly drawn from those who completed our survey. The lucky winner of a $100 gift card at Custom House or Ventana Grill is Heather Snowdy. The two winners of a Saturday Trolley tour for two to the historic Point San Luis Lighthouse are Bruce Cheek and John Bono, and the winner of a 2-hour kayak or paddleboard session for two courtesy of Avila Beach Paddle Sports is Jean Slater. Congratulations to our winners, and thanks for taking part in our survey. Plus, a special “shout-out” of appreciation to our friends at Old Custom House, Point San Luis Lighthouse Keepers, and Avila Beach Paddle Sports for generously donating the drawing prizes. That’s about it for now, fellow Avilones. See you at the beach!!!
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