In January of 1907, the Venice Construction Company optioned from D.C. Collier's Ralston Realty 50 acres of land in a canyon on the northeast end of Adams Avenue overlooking Ward Road in Normal Heights. Water …
September 5, 2016
Back to profile
Stories by Suzanne Ledeboer
Normal Heights' Chutes Park would've been fun
Why "Normal Heights"?
"Why is this neighborhood named 'Normal Heights'?" is a question asked frequently by residents and non-residents of this neighborhood. Here is the answer: In 1905, when Col. D.C. Collier and the University Heights Syndicate bought …
August 6, 2016
Ward Canyon Neighborhood Park makes room for mutts
The Normal Heights Community Association, with support from the Adams Recreation Council (and the city's Park and Recreation Department), the Normal Heights Community Planning Group, and the Adams Avenue Business Association worked for nearly a …
February 15, 2016
Old man Ward might be proud
Some history before the interim off-leash dog park opens next month at Ward Canyon Neighborhood Park… Ward Canyon in Normal Heights appeared on maps in 1921 as a "Deep and Steep Grade to Mission Valley," …
January 25, 2016
Normal Heights library rivalry
On Wednesday, July 28, 2010, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for the new central library in downtown San Diego, one month and 56 years after the current library at Eighth and E Streets opened in …
December 1, 2015
Big woof for Ward Canyon
On Monday, October 19, the ground for the interim off-leash dog park at Ward Canyon Neighborhood Park in Normal Heights was cleared and leveled and orange temporary fencing set up. There was no official groundbreaking"ceremony, …
October 19, 2015
Dog park controversial in Normal Heights
An August 26 email from District 3 councilman Todd Gloria's office to the Normal Heights Community Association provided an update on the plans for an interim off-leash dog park at Ward Canyon Neighborhood Park. A …
September 8, 2015
Normal Heights Starbucks Vandalized
Vandals attempted to break into the Starbucks at the northeast corner of Adams Avenue and Felton Street in Normal Heights early Friday morning, April 6. According to a Starbucks employee named Tray, he and fellow …
April 6, 2012
Normal Heights Elementary School Opens Playground, Sparks Protest
In accordance with a joint-use agreement signed by the San Diego Unified School District and the City of San Diego seven years ago, on March 9, the playgrounds and playing fields at Normal Heights Elementary …
March 13, 2012
Fields at Normal Heights Elementary Open After School
Unless there is a monkey wrench thrown into the works, a joint-use agreement between the city's Park and Recreation Department and the San Diego Unified School District will allow for public access to the upper …
March 9, 2012
Normal Heights Intersection Reconfiguration Completed
Reconstruction and reconfiguration of the Cherokee-Madison-East Mountain View-Ward Road intersections in Normal Heights was recently completed. Begun in fits and starts last summer (including a shutdown when funds ran out) in conjunction with the 40th …
January 31, 2012
Normal Heights Sign Sparked Adams Avenue Street Fair
Repainting the Normal Heights sign began Monday morning, August 22. The neon sign, suspended over the intersection of Adams Avenue and Felton Street, was last repainted and the neon rehabbed in 1995 by the Adams …
August 23, 2011
Historical Contractor Stamps Salvaged In Normal Heights
Undergrounding of the utilities along Meade Avenue from I-805 to 44th Street began in April 2005 as part of the City's ongoing utility undergrounding program. Approximately $4 million dollars from the City's Surcharge Fund were …
August 16, 2011
Residents Displeased with 40th Street Promenade and Five Points Reconfiguration
A feisty crowd attended the Normal Heights Community Planning Group meeting August 2 to express displeasure with the sudden disruption of their lives caused by two projects: the 40th Street Promenade and the long-awaited reconfiguration …
August 3, 2011
Adams Avenue Farmers' Market Closed Down
The Adams Avenue Farmers' Market, located on the playground of John Adams Elementary School in Normal Heights since May 2010, closed May 11, 2011. Unfortunately, there was not enough foot traffic to maintain the initial …
June 2, 2011
San Diego’s Redistricting Commission Meeting Held in City Heights
The seven members of San Diego‘s Redistricting Commission met on May 2 in City Heights. In 2008, City of San Diego voters approved Proposition D, which established a “strong mayor” form of government. Voters also …
May 4, 2011
Light Brown Apple Moth Spreading North?
In September 2010, the California Department of Food and Agriculture quarantined a portion of San Diego County when the light brown apple moth was found one mile east of Balboa Park. The pest, native to …
April 7, 2011
Ward Canyon Neighborhood Park Plans Finalized
At its March 22 meeting, the Adams Recreation Council approved the final long-term plan for Ward Canyon Neighborhood Park, located at Adams Avenue and 40th Street. Approximately 20 residents attended the presentation by the Schmidt …
March 23, 2011
Plans for Ward Canyon Neighborhood Park Presented
The monthly meeting of the Adams Recreation Council was held at the Normal Heights Community Center on January 25. The focus of the meeting was a presentation by the Schmidt Design Group of three concept …
January 27, 2011
More Bike Racks for San Diego Sidewalks
According to Marko Radovanovic of the City’s Traffic Engineering Division, a project is under way to install 47 bicycle racks on sidewalks along El Cajon Boulevard, 30th Street, University Avenue, and Adams Avenue. Thirty-three racks …
January 8, 2011
Normal Heights Boundaries Change on New City Map
Normal Heights, a 104-year old neighborhood in the Mid-City area, is shown on a new city map (click here) divided into two parts: the area north of Adams Avenue has been renamed Adams North; the …
September 10, 2010
Orphan Bin?
"USAgain is a green for-profit enterprise that collects used clothes (and shoes) and resells them worldwide to conserve precious resources and greenhouse gases," according to their website. Two of USAgain’s red-and-white collection bins were placed …
August 10, 2010
Economic Upturn?
In August and September of 2008, Townspeople, a California nonprofit, received gap financing from the San Diego Housing Commission Board and the Housing Authority for its acquisition and rehabilitation of a 34-unit apartment complex located …
August 1, 2010