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Terrace Talks 2019, part 1

Protecting the People's Park for Over a Century: Generations of San Diegans Fighting to Preserve Balboa Park

As far back as 1871, George Marston led protective efforts, and before the 1915-16 Panama-California Exposition closed, citizens were organizing to save the "temporary" buildings and gardens. This discussion takes on added relevance with the recent announcement that the massive Plaza de Panama project for the park's historic core is now on hiatus.

Nancy Carol Carter, an expert and author on Balboa Park horticulture and Kate Sessions, the nurserywoman and horticulturist who helped transform a dusty mesa into San Diego's crown jewel, will present the history of the People's Park from 1870 to 1915. Mike Kelly, president since 2006 of The Committee of One Hundreda nonprofit group that preserves Balboa Park's historic architecture, gardens, and public spaceswill summarize the history from 1915-1940. Urban designer and planner Howard Blackson, who helped remove the parked cars from the Plaza de Panama and revitalize it for pedestrians, will tell the park's story from 1940 to the present. Judy Swink, a former librarian who became familiar with Balboa Park history while working for the civic group C-3, will serve as moderator.

Light refreshments