Balboa Park initiated as 1400 acres of land set aside in 1868 by San Diego leaders. Then known as “City Park”, scrub-filled mesa that overlooked present day Downtown San Diego sat without formal landscaping or development for more than 20 years.
The first steps in Park improvement were made in 1892, largely due to contributions of Kate Sessions. Kate offered to plant 100 trees a year within the Park as well as donating trees and shrubs around San Diego. Several popular plant species, including the birds of paradise, queen palm and poinsettia were introduced into the Park’s horticulture because of Sessions’ efforts. In fact, many of her original trees are alive and visible today. No wonder Kate Sessions earned the title “The Mother of Balboa Park”. …show more content…
There, in what used to be lily ponds, sailors learned to row boats and many of the old exposition's buildings were used as barracks. Once the war was over, the city regained control of the park. Visitors were not able to enjoy the newest additions to Balboa Park, as World War II forced the park back into military service. The park performed as an extension of the Naval Hospital. Most buildings were used as infirmaries, others as barracks, and as a training center. After the war, civilian use was reinstated and the park experienced neglect that lasted throughout the 1950s. In the early 1960s, concern over the dilapidation of the buildings was raised and there were attempts to save many from the wrecking ball. The problem then became who had the final say over the future of the park and where the money would come from. Private organizations merged over these issues, some wanting to preserve the park while others sought to return it to a natural