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Presidio Park Listed as a National Historic Landmark—the highest possible level of designation—Presidio Park was once one of San Diego's most heavily visited parks. Today, it is a decaying and unkempt embarrassment with few tourists to be found. Considered the "Plymouth Rock" of the West Coast, the 1769 Spanish expedition founded not only the first mission in Alta California here, but also the presidio, port, and town of San Diego. George Marston, a civic visionary and preservationist, commemorated this inspiring feat by purchasing the site for a park almost a century ago and commissioning the prominent architect William Templeton Johnson to design the Serra Museum upon its hilltop. Marston and his wife, Anna, then donated the land and museum to the City for public enjoyment. Unfortunately, in recent years, it has become painfully clear that this extraordinarily significant place—the city's place of origin—is not receiving the public attention or maintenance it rightfully deserves from its steward. The museum building and Serra cross are severely deteriorated, the once magnificent park sculptures are often littered with food and broken bottles, and important elements of the historic John Nolen-designed landscape have died or are near dead. Along with a complete restoration, the City must adopt a comprehensive landscape management plan using the U.S. Secretary of the Interior's Standards. Presidio Park is nationally and locally significant and warrants immediate attention. For a city whose economy has been fueled by tourism since the 1880s, it is incomprehensible that this and other historic places that reliably attracted millions of visitors for decades are tossed aside and left to decay. In 2018, SOHO urged the mayor to form a committee to raise funds and commit to restoring Presidio Park's cultural landscape. SOHO is encouraged that the entrance arbor has been restored, thanks to Mission Hills Heritage's collaboration with the City, a project that began in 2016. SOHO has been working to identify and strategize with interested community partners to find solutions for the substantial deferred maintenance and crucial preservation of San Diego's founding site. Now, on the eve of the founding's 250th anniversary in 2019, we strongly urge District Three Councilmember Chris Ward to look for additional ways and funding to restore the site and take the necessary steps to care for this national treasure. (Scroll to view all)  C. 1970s, thriving and filled with visitors. 
      
Current photos by Sandé Lollis |
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Mailing - PO Box 80788 · San Diego CA 92138 | Offices - 3525 Seventh Avenue · San Diego CA 92103
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