It takes a village to beautify a promenade

FALLBROOK – Amazing cooperation between local business, individual community volunteers, and the non-profit organization the Fallbrook Beautification Alliance (FBA), recently demonstrated how things get done in Fallbrook.

The project at hand was the ongoing improvement and beautification of the Pico Promenade, located in the downtown area, one block west of Main Avenue.

Coordinated by Jackie Heyneman of the FBA, three local businesses assisted in strategically placing a large load of boulders along the promenade. Jack Bebee, engineer and planning manager for Fallbrook Public Utility District, helped provide some large boulders that had been stored at one of the district’s sites. Jean Dooley, steward of the Pico Promenade, and Heyneman made a trip to review the rock pile and selected the stones that would best enhance the project. Michelle McLeod, owner of Southwest Boulder and Stone, pitched in the effort by donating the use of a mechanical crane and operator to help relocate the boulders, and Rick Windbigler, owner of Fallbrook Equipment Rental, donated a heavy-duty forklift and operator to place the stones at their new location. This large project spanned multiple days and was greatly aided by FBA members and community volunteers Ellie Ross, Russ Heyneman and Dennis Burke, who took on the task of coating the boulders with anti-graffiti sealant, positioning, and placing each stone.

“Projects like this take a lot of planning, and it is always amazing to watch Fallbrook businesses and townspeople work together to make things happen,” said Heyneman. “It promotes the sense of community that has and continues to prevail in our town.”

Projects like the beautification of the Pico Promenade are but one of the many efforts of the Fallbrook Beautification Alliance. Monies raised from the annual July 4th fireworks celebration fundraiser have been used in this manner to the benefit of the community.

The complete development of the Pico Promenade is still underway. Recent work has included the addition of benches and trash cans, and currently sections of a split rail fence are being installed through the efforts of two local Eagle Scouts. The FBA is glad to arrange additional Eagle Scout projects for those interested. To make a donation to the FBA or obtain more information on the organization, visit

http://www.fallbrookbeautification.org.