Balboa Park Plan Favors Present Look

The future Balboa Park will look much like it does today, with trees, flower gardens, historic buildings and picnic areas remaining, the city Planning Commission voted Thursday.

The 6-0 action is the next to last step in a six-year debate about the future of the park and reflects the “environmentally preferred alternative” to a consultant’s master plan proposal. That plan would have removed many of the unprofitable activities in the midtown park and replaced them with commercial ventures to make money.

More Parking Backed

However, commissioners did go along with the Pekarek Group consultants’ recommendation that at least two parking garages be built within the park--a 600-space structure in Archery Canyon north of El Prado along California 163, and another of undetermined size south of the Organ Pavilion on an existing parking lot.

The commissioners stressed, however, that auto traffic on El Prado should be minimized, parking in the El Prado area removed and the center of the park closed to cars during peak use periods.

The initial Pekarek Group plan called for a four-lane road crossing the park, removal of many of the non-recreational activities and provision for several restaurants and retail shops in Spanish Village and scattered throughout the park.

Automobiles Included

The planning commission members rejected these proposals but approved the continued use of Cabrillo Bridge for auto and pedestrian traffic, despite recommendations from several planning and advisory groups that the bridge be closed to automobiles.

The commission recommendations will be presented to the City Council Public Facilities and Recreation Committee on June 10 and forwarded to the full City Council on June 22.

Among the commission recommendations are:

- Retention of youth group facilities for the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and Camp Fire organizations, west of the San Diego Zoo grounds on land proposed for zoo expansion.

- Retention of the merry-go-round and miniature railroad near the zoo.

- Relocation of the municipal gymnasium to the Morley Field area in the northeastern portion of the 1,400-acre park.

- Retention of the Richmond Avenue off-ramp from California 163.

- Reduction of the parking lot area at the former Naval Hospital site at Inspiration Point.

- Rejection of extensions of Upas and 28th streets to form a circulation loop around the park.

- Retention of Centro Cultural quarters in the park.

- Approval of an intra-park shuttle system and bike path and of planning for a linkage of the park with the downtown area.

- Rejection of major expansion of Spanish Village but approval of reconfiguration of the buildings to provide a pedestrian promenade.

- Rejection of an amphitheater in Florida Canyon.

- Rejection of a restaurant proposed for Marston Point.

The commissioners also rejected proposals to enlarge and improve the municipal golf course and recommended a delay in development planning for the park’s remaining undeveloped areas.

Commissioner Pauline Oquita also urged planning staff members to include a statement outlining plans for implementing the recommendations. City officials are considering a bond issue for the November ballot to finance park improvements and other needed city facilities.