Story and photos by Karen Pearlman
June 9, 2026 (La Mesa) — One day before the city of La Mesa unveils a “Bill Walton Way” street sign near Helix High, community members gathered in the La Mesa Village for a sign Walton would have loved — the long-awaited downtown district sign archway on La Mesa Boulevard at Palm Avenue.
Following about eight years of planning, community fundraising (to the tune of $400,000) and anticipation, the massive Downtown La Mesa District Sign was officially presented to several hundred members of the public late Tuesday afternoon.
More than a standard municipal marker, the archway serves as a mosaic of the city’s residents and businesses as well as its fans from across San Diego County. The structure’s two massive support columns are visually anchored by a “Community Quilt” featuring 1,512 hand-painted 4-inch by 4-inch tiles.
The sign and tiles became reality thanks to the community, and particularly because of the work of the La Mesa Village Association and the La Mesa Park & Recreation Foundation, said La Mesa Mayor Mark Arapostathis, creating “a distinct focal point that will help define the village for years to come.”
The culmination of years of planning fundraising and community collaboration, Arapostathis said has led to “much more than a sign.”
“It’s a symbol of La Mesa’s identity, creativity and community spirit,” he said. “We all came together to make this. The archway serves as a welcoming gateway to our downtown village and reflects the pride residents and businesses have in this special place.”
Arapostathis (in photo, left, with black jacket,looking at tiles with others), a lifelong La Mesan, said he felt that the sign was especially meaningful, “because so many of you were able to leave a personal mark on this landmark that will be enjoyed for years to come by your grandchildren, great grandchildren and everyone that comes here.”
While the project was officially set into motion in 2018, the idea of a gateway arch welcoming visitors to La Mesa’s historic heart had been discussed for several decades.
The La Mesa City Council initially approved a partnership in 2021 between the LMVA and the nonprofit La Mesa Park & Recreation Foundation, which has acted as the fiscal sponsor to collect the necessary tax-deductible donations.
A moving moment
One of the most heartfelt moments at the unveiling of the sign was when businessman Tony Gaipa of the LMVA, said that the groups working on the sign wanted to find a way to honor La Mesa Police Department Officer Lauren Craven, who was killed in the line of duty last October.
The sign and the tiles were already finished and incorporated into the columns, and there seemed to be no way to create a tile in Craven’s memory.
But Gaipa revealed that Misty Thompson, Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of La Mesa and executive director with the La Mesa Park & Recreation Foundation, who championed the gateway sign since it was first being considered, had done something that needed community recognition — she donated one of her tiles to be decorated with Craven’s name.
On Tuesday, all of the LMPD officers at the event looked for and found the tile, including Patrol Capt. Katy Lynch (see photo, below right), who was visibly moved by it.
Thompson, who has been with the city for more than 15 years, has been a driving force for many of the city’s most loved events and initiatives, including the city’s Earth Day Festival and “Livable La Mesa.”
She said that the sign will stand as a testament to being dedicated to a project that involves a shared vision and collaboration with partners.
“Looking out into this crowd, It’s clear to me this sign means so much to our community,” Thompson said. “Today we’re here for more than just a ribbon cutting. The sign serves as a proud welcome and a daily reminder to those who live and work here that we are a community.”
The search for tiles
Tuesday’s event got La Mesa kids low to the ground and on high up on their parents’ shoulders as they excitedly scanned the columns to locate their tiles.
After finding their two tiles, Mount Helix resident Kathleen Hedberg, a member of the Helix Water District Board of Directors, took photos with her husband, Jon, and their dog, Izzy, underneath the archway.
La Mesans since 1980, husband and wife Hal and Carolann Haley said it took a few minutes to find their tile among the 1,500-plus of names, drawings, business logos and more underneath the giant arch sign.
But they finally spotted it — a crossword puzzle combining their last name and the surnames of their neighbors — and snapped photos.
“Even though everything will be outdated in 10, 15, 20 years, these businesses (on the tiles) may not be here… but I think it’s pretty dang cool,” Hal Haley said.
Carolann Haley added: “It’s a great feeling to have this here. It’s something that will be here for years to come.”
Their daughter, Kira McArthur, recreation manager at Lake Jennings, who lives across the street of her parents with her husband and young daughter, also found her tile — a drawing of their house, which McArthur created before she had their child.
“It was fun to find our tile, I hadn’t seen it in a while!” McArthur said. “I think this sign was long overdue. I am very excited to see it.”