UT published an article last week about how the city is updating its plan for Balboa Park and revitalizing Starlight Bowl. And some of the responses posted were notable, especially since one of them came from our friend Roger Showley, a San Diego architectural historian and former longtime writer for UT (and member of the PLHS Class of ’66):
The plan to save our crown jewel requires more creativity in food
Mayor Todd Gloria listed many worthwhile things to do in his State of Balboa Park presentation. One of them is the Village Grill on Old Globe Way, which has long since closed. But we’ll need a lot more imagination to quench our thirst and growling stomachs when we visit San Diego’s “crown jewel.”
It’s difficult to find plentiful, affordable, and convenient food and drink options. Some museums operate snack bars, and there’s only one full-service restaurant, the Prado in the House of Hospitality. Open more museum cafes, bring in food trucks, and license pop-up stands that offer more than stale snacks, reheated hot dogs, and pathetic popsicles.
Turn the cottages of the House of Pacific Relations into an international food court. Fill the courtyard of the Spanish Village with permanent food stalls. Hold a weekly farmers market in the Pan-American Plaza. And make the December Nights’ Beer Garden a permanent fixture.
—Roger Showley, Scripps Ranch
Sari Camacho from San Carlos also published a response:
The parking facilities around Balboa Park are completely inadequate – especially for the disabled
I’m all for any plan to invest in the treasure that is Balboa Park. To me, it’s one of the most beautiful places in our entire city. However, anyone who lives here knows that parking is always an issue. I recently attended an afternoon organ concert. Since I’m disabled, it was important for me to be close to the pavilion. Of course, there was no nearby parking, no nearby place to get off, and many, many people were looking for a parking spot.
If the authorities hadn’t closed off numerous parking spaces on Park Boulevard, it might not have been quite so frustrating. I’m sure the intentions of investing in this wonderful gem of a park are good, but let’s be honest. I have to say to Mayor Todd Gloria and our City Council: you live here. Try coming here on a weekend in the summer and finding a parking spot. Invest in our city’s treasures, but please don’t spend money on bike lanes that benefit a very small percentage of people and make life harder for the majority.
— Sari Camacho, San Carlos
Originally published: August 14, 2024 at 5:00 am
