Azalea Park, San Diego
Encyclopedia
The Azalea Park neighborhood is a community within City Heights in the greater San Diego, California
area. Secluded and canyon-laced, located on top of a plateau 3 miles east of San Diego Bay
, with an elevation of around 300 feet. Bordered to the North by Manzanita Canyon (Lexington Street, officially, paper street
at bottom of canyon), Fairmount Avenue to the East, Interstate 805
to the West and Hollywood Park to the South.
avoiding the overcast conditions along the coast and the extreme heat of the inland areas. A strong "ocean" breeze helps to keep Azalea Park cool in the summer due to its location at the edge of the plateau
.
In 1993 residents started the Azalea Park Neighborhood Association. Many of the association members, some of whom are gay, decided to "market" the neighborhood at the local gay pride
celebration. In July, 1993 a small band of supporters, most of them were straight, gathered together and marched along side a red Volkswagen Cabriolet with faux plants sticking out the back and carrying hand painted banners and signs touting "Canyon Homes under $60,000". And thus began the continuing run of the Azalea Park entry in the San Diego Gay Pride Parade. Many new lesbian and gay residents, young married couples, families, and single "first time" homeowners have now added to the diversity of the neighborhood.
Many residents have been in the community for 50 years or more. A large percentage of the homes in Azalea Park are owner occupied. New arrivals have significantly improved both the physical appearance and the community spirit here.
There is a tradition of strong community involvement. In addition the resident regularly join together for canyon clean-ups, neighborhood paint-outs, toy drives and other community related activities. Azalea Park has one of the largest and most active neighborhood associations in San Diego.
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
area. Secluded and canyon-laced, located on top of a plateau 3 miles east of San Diego Bay
San Diego Bay
San Diego Bay is a natural harbor and deepwater port adjacent to San Diego, California. It is 12 mi/19 km long, 1 mi/1.6 km–3 mi/4.8 km wide...
, with an elevation of around 300 feet. Bordered to the North by Manzanita Canyon (Lexington Street, officially, paper street
Paper street
A paper street is a road or street that appears on maps but does not exist in reality. Paper streets generally occur when city planners or subdivision developers lay out and dedicate streets that are never built...
at bottom of canyon), Fairmount Avenue to the East, Interstate 805
Interstate 805
Interstate 805 is a major north–south Interstate Highway in Southern California. It is a bypass of Interstate 5, running along the eastern areas of the Greater San Diego area from San Ysidro near the Mexico–U.S...
to the West and Hollywood Park to the South.
Climate
Azalea Park Neighborhood enjoys a very moderate climateClimate
Climate encompasses the statistics of temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, wind, rainfall, atmospheric particle count and other meteorological elemental measurements in a given region over long periods...
avoiding the overcast conditions along the coast and the extreme heat of the inland areas. A strong "ocean" breeze helps to keep Azalea Park cool in the summer due to its location at the edge of the plateau
Plateau
In geology and earth science, a plateau , also called a high plain or tableland, is an area of highland, usually consisting of relatively flat terrain. A highly eroded plateau is called a dissected plateau...
.
History
Azalea Park was once, and still "officially" known as Lexington Park. Azalea Park was a real estate sub-division and in mid-1980s the Lexington Park Neighborhood Association decided to begin using Azalea Park to refer to themselves. The Lexington Park Neighborhood Association soon disbanded due to members moving, dying, or otherwise losing interest.In 1993 residents started the Azalea Park Neighborhood Association. Many of the association members, some of whom are gay, decided to "market" the neighborhood at the local gay pride
Gay pride
LGBT pride or gay pride is the concept that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people should be proud of their sexual orientation and gender identity...
celebration. In July, 1993 a small band of supporters, most of them were straight, gathered together and marched along side a red Volkswagen Cabriolet with faux plants sticking out the back and carrying hand painted banners and signs touting "Canyon Homes under $60,000". And thus began the continuing run of the Azalea Park entry in the San Diego Gay Pride Parade. Many new lesbian and gay residents, young married couples, families, and single "first time" homeowners have now added to the diversity of the neighborhood.
Many residents have been in the community for 50 years or more. A large percentage of the homes in Azalea Park are owner occupied. New arrivals have significantly improved both the physical appearance and the community spirit here.
There is a tradition of strong community involvement. In addition the resident regularly join together for canyon clean-ups, neighborhood paint-outs, toy drives and other community related activities. Azalea Park has one of the largest and most active neighborhood associations in San Diego.