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April 6
Terrace Talks
11am-12:30pm · $10
Light refreshments
Marston House Museum & Gardens
3525 Seventh Avenue, San Diego 92103
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 Hundred—a nonprofit group that preserves Balboa Park's historic architecture, gardens, and public spaces—will 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.
 Nancy Carol Carter is a frequent community speaker and has published numerous horticultural history articles in California Garden, Eden, Pacific Horticulture, and the Journal of San Diego History. Her current research involves Balboa Park land use, Kate O. Sessions, and landscape architect Paul Thiene. She is on the board of directors of San Diego Floral Association and the California Garden and Landscape History Society. With Friends of Balboa Park she serves on the Horticulture Committee and researches interpretive signs for Balboa Park landmarks. With the Balboa Park Conservancy she serves on the Park Improvement Committee and various working groups. Carter holds a B.S., M.S., M.L.S. and J.D. and is retired from the University of San Diego School of Law.
 Michael Kelly has lived in San Diego since 1972. A retired physician, he graduated from Michigan State University and received his MD from the University of Michigan. He is an Editorial Consultant for The Journal of San Diego History and editor of the Richard Amero book Balboa Park and the 1915 Exposition. Mike has served as president of The Committee of One Hundred since 2006. That organization has worked to preserve Balboa Park's historical architecture, gardens, and public spaces since 1967.
 Howard Blackson is a national leader in crafting innovative urban design and planning techniques and ideas for 28 years. A native San Diegan, he has professional experience throughout Asia and North America. He holds a Masters in Urban Design from the University of Westminster, London, England, and a Bachelors from the University of Texas at Austin. He served as program manager for the City of San Diego's Civic Innovation Lab, board member of Civic San Diego, and the City's Climate Action Plan Implementation Committee. His Plaza de Panama experience was in assisting Allen Jones, Deputy Chief of Staff to Mayor Bob Filner, in testing a redesign of the walkable, transit-served plaza we enjoy today.
 Judy Swink has been a resident of San Diego since 1970. From 1971-1978, she worked in branch libraries for San Diego Public Library. Beginning in 1978, she worked at a number of part-time library and research-related jobs, and became an active participant in civic activities. In 1980, Judy began to work part-time for C-3 as administrative support, until returning to full-time employment in 1986 as a Resource Librarian with the Serra Cooperative Library System. Since retirement in 2001, she has focused on Mission Bay Park and Balboa Park planning issues. Judy's tenure working for C-3 introduced her to the long history of C-3's participation in Balboa Park planning, going back to the early 1960s, and familiarized her with the even more extensive history of Balboa Park.
PURCHASE TICKETS
(Must be purchased in advance)
Online HERE • Call (619) 297-9327
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