Clark Realty Salvages Play Equipment for New Park and Local School in Mexico
San Diego, Ca. — Clark Realty, a national real estate developer and the second largest homebuilder in San Diego, recently donated three playgrounds for reuse by the children of Los Laureles Canyon, an underprivileged community in Mexico that overlooks the Tijuana Estuarine Reserve. The play equipment was reassembled at a local school and at a new park, which was dedicated by the Mayor of Tijuana on September 27, 2006. The donation was also featured at this week's meeting of the California Biodiversity Council (CBC), an organization that aims to preserve the area's parks and waterways.
Clark Realty Salvages Play Equipment for New Park and Local School in Mexico
"There is such a great need here," noted Janet Fairbanks, CBC member. "Clark Realty spawned a whole new (donations) process... the CBC and the children of Los Laureles Canyon are very appreciative and thank Clark Realty for their donation."
During this week's CBC Meeting entitled "Biodiversity Along the Border - Working Together in a Binational Watershed," participants of local, state, and federal environmental protection agencies traveled to Tijuana to learn more about protecting the watershed from increased pressure for urbanization. The conference also focused on the need for donations to this particular region of Tijuana.
"Clark Realty is pleased to take part in reviving an otherwise neglected area," said Joe Schafstall, development executive for Clark Realty Capital. "This donation serves as another example of our continuing commitment to not only create wonderful communities, but also improve quality of life in the regions around us."
Clark Realty coordinated this donation with the San Diego Association of Governments and the Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve. The reclamation project adds to Clark's "100 Good Deeds for 100 Years" program, which honors the company's centennial anniversary by committing to complete 100 community service initiatives by the end of this year.
Other service projects embarked on by Clark's San Diego employees in the last year include participation in the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots Program, Habitat for Humanity, and the Walk for Hope to Cure Breast Cancer. Clark also hosted a charity golf tournament this month, which raised more than $200,000 for Operation Homefront, the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund (IMSFF), and the Pacific Beacon Education Fund. The event generated the single largest donation in the history of Operation Homefront.
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About Clark Realty
Founded in 1906, the Clark organization has become one of the country's premier developers of multifamily housing and is the largest privately-held general building contractor in the nation. The Clark companies are headquartered in Bethesda, Md., with regional offices strategically located throughout the United States. Clark has been active in Southern California for the last 25 years. In the last five years alone, Clark Realty Capital's partnership with the Navy has invested nearly $400 million in San Diego's local community, with more than 65 percent of this work to small business enterprises and locally-owned companies. Clark's construction and development initiatives have created an estimated 1,500 jobs in San Diego. San Diego landmarks built by Clark include the San Diego Padres stadium, the stunning Manchester Grand Hyatt, and the new trolley station at San Diego State University.
About the California Biodiversity Council
The California Biodiversity Council was formed in 1991 to improve coordination and cooperation between the various resource management and environmental protection organizations at federal, state, and local levels. Its purpose is to discuss, coordinate, and assist in developing strategies and complementary policies for conserving biodiversity. More information about the California Biodiversity Council can be found on the Internet at ceres.ca.gov/biodiv/.
About the San Diego Association of Governments
The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) is comprised of 18 city and county governments which serve as a forum for regional decision making. The agency uses its resources to make plans for and provide information on topics which affect the San Diego region's quality of life. More information about SANDAG can be found on the Internet at www.sandag.cog.ca.us/.
About the Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve
Dedicated to preservation of the southwestern most region of the country, the Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve (TRNERR) is a partnership between the United States and the State of California that links the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service, California State Parks, and other regional agencies and local municipalities. Recent efforts have focused on rejuvenating the area's degradation from sewage spills, soil erosion related to road construction, and sedimentation. More information about the TRNERR can be found on the Internet at www.tijuanaestuary.com/visitors_center.asp.