ENCINITAS, Calif. (KGTV) - After the closure of two popular trails along the coast, a group of residents in Encinitas said they plan to protest on Sunday.
On Thursday, the city of Encinitas closed the Coastal Rail Trail as well as the pedestrian path along Highway 101 from Swami’s to Cardiff due to concerns of high volumes of people amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Protest organizer Crista Curtis called the move a “power grab” by local politicians.
“It’s just a terrible solution, people are upset,” said Curtis. "We look like China!"
Encinitas Mayor Catherine Blakespear declined a request for comment. 10News also reached out to the media contact in the City Manager’s office, but did not hear back.
However, a post on the city’s website made the reason for the closures clear.
“These closures are necessary to ensure compliance with the Order for social distancing,” said the alert.
Like every closure made during the pandemic, no clear timeline was given for reopening, though it stressed “continued vigilance now will decrease the length of time this order will remain in place.”
Curtis said she plans to hold the protest Sunday at 10 a.m. in front of the Swami’s beach parking lot.
