Balboa Park: The Next 100 Years

Background

Balboa Park is often referred to as the crown jewel of our city. Its historic architecture, lush landscaping and renowned cultural attractions combine to create a magical atmosphere that has been recognized as one of the world's greatest urban parks. I feel a responsibility, not just to Third District constituents, but to all San Diegans and to future generations, to protect, preserve and enhance Balboa Park.

The upcoming Centennial of the 1915 Panama California Exposition, which defined the park as we know it today, and put San Diego on the map as a city of significance, provides a host of opportunities to revitalize the park and generate new interest and excitement for its place in our community. This should be a catalyst for new investment from the private sector as well.

The Latest

On October 13, I joined with Mayor Jerry Sanders and many philanthropic and cultural leaders to announce an important step to sustain and strengthen Balboa Park as a public park. A new task force will develop a new nonprofit public-benefit entity to work with the City's Park and Recreation Department on fundraising and park management.

Balboa Park has been the jewel of our park system and the jewel of our City for nearly 100 years. It is a source of pride and inspiration for San Diegans and visitors. Ongoing investment and oversight of the park will guarantee its strong future, and the task force we announced will get us closer to that result.

This task force is the latest in a lengthy process in planning for our park's continued viability. After nine months of public hearings, the Balboa Park Committee determined that the park would best be served through the creation of a new nonprofit organization connected to the City.

To ensure we build an appropriate fundraising and governance foundation for Balboa Park, Vicki Granowitz answered the call to chair a task force to engage the public in a dialogue about a potential organization's design.

This diverse group of stakeholders will hold public meetings over the next six months. Topics to be discussed include: the relationship between the City and park support organizations; potential changes to the municipal code, council policies and the City Charter; and the structure of the new governance body. The role of the public organization will also be considered.

While the work ahead for the task force will be difficult, and the questions to answer are many, privatizing the park is not on the agenda of this task force and should not be considered at any time. I know the task force members (PDF: 33K) share my passion for the park and my commitment that Balboa Park will always remain the property of the people of San Diego and the City will remain responsible for its operation.

I am excited for the public to participate with the task force and to see the structure it recommends to ensure the future of Balboa Park.

The first meeting is October 19 at 6:00 p.m. at the Balboa Park Club. The meeting is open to the public, and all are encouraged to attend.

View the list of Balboa Park Task Force members (PDF: 33K).

What's Next

The Balboa Park Task Force will meet on the third Monday of every month at 6:00 p.m. Through December, the meetings will be held at the Balboa Park Club, 2150 Pan American Road. The January and February meetings will be held in the community room at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center.

The Mayor and I continue to meet regularly about what role the City will play in organizing the Centennial and what capital projects might be accomplished to improve the park and honor its history.