Save Gershwin Park: Stop the Unnecessary AT&T Cell Tower
Protect our children, homes, environment, and beloved neighborhood park

Gershwin Park is the heart of our neighborhood — a place where children play every day, families gather, neighbors connect, and our community enjoys one of the few remaining quiet green spaces in Clairemont. Now AT&T is proposing to place a 65-foot faux eucalyptus cell tower, ground equipment structure, and a diesel generator with 50 gallons of fuel in the park.

We strongly urge the City of San Diego to reject this proposal.

This is not just about the dystopian appearance of a cellphone tower fake tree towering over all the real trees. This project raises serious concerns about public safety, environmental impact, property values, and the permanent industrialization of community green space.

This tower is not needed
According to the FCC National Broadband Map, the proposed location at 3549 Conrad Avenue already shows 100% AT&T outdoor wireless and in-vehicle mobile coverage, as well as full fixed broadband availability in the surrounding area.

If AT&T claims isolated service gaps exist, those issues can be addressed through less intrusive alternatives, including:

small cell antennas
distributed antenna system (DAS) nodes
signal amplifiers
co-location on existing structures
other engineering solutions
A 65-foot tower in a neighborhood park should be the last resort, not the first option.

Environmental concerns
The proposed faux eucalyptus tower uses synthetic branches and PVC leaves attached to a steel monopole. These materials will degrade over time, creating macro and microplastic pollution, runoff into storm drains and protected areas, and ongoing maintenance waste. This proposal introduces thousands of pounds of artificial plastic materials into a public park that should be protected for children, wildlife, and families.

Safety and neighborhood impact
Residents are deeply concerned about: RF exposure related health issues particularly on children where effects have not been studied, diesel fuel storage in a public park, fire safety concerns, falling debris hazards, permanent alteration of the park’s landscape

Home Values
For many families, their home is their largest investment. Placing a highly visible industrial structure in a residential neighborhood park will negatively affect home values and the tower must be disclosed when selling property.

Future expansion risk
If approved, federal law may allow future expansion. Under Section 6409 of the Spectrum Act, the tower height may be eligible for an increase of up to 20 additional feet, potentially bringing it to 85 feet. This means approval today could open the door to an even larger structure tomorrow.

Take action now
We need the community to act quickly.

SIGN & DONATE
Sign and share this petition with neighbors, friends, and family.  To be added to the email list email or donate to our legal fund email AKumar@mghihp.edu

SHOW UP
Attend community meetings and public hearings, including the Clairemont Town Council meeting on Thursday 5/7 at 6:00 at 4425 Bannock Ave, SD.

SPEAK UP
Contact city officials and project staff.

1.  Karen Howard, Project Manager
   📞 619-687-5915
   📧 khoward@sandiego.gov

2.  The people associated with AT&T trying to advance this project:  forozco@interlinkpg.com and s.gudino@pstctowers.com 

3.  City Council Emails (all 9 members will vote)
District 1 – Joe LaCava, joelacava@sandiego.gov
District 2 – Jennifer Campbell, jennifercampbell@sandiego.gov (her area includes Gershwin Park)
District 3 – Stephen Whitburn, stephenwhitburn@sandiego.gov
District 4 – Monica Montgomery Steppe, monicamontgomery@sandiego.gov
District 5 – Marni von Wilpert, marnivonwilpert@sandiego.gov
District 6 – Kent Lee, kentlee@sandiego.gov
District 7 – Raul Campillo, raulcampillo@sandiego.gov
District 8 – Vivian Moreno, vivianmoreno@sandiego.gov
District 9 – Sean Elo-Rivera, seanelorivera@sandiego.gov

Please help us protect Gershwin Park for the children and families who rely on it every day.

Our park is not the place for unnecessary and unsafe industrial infrastructure.