|
Friends of Friendship Park Consider National Historic Landmark Status
By Marlena Krcelich
March/April 2022
The southern edge of currently-closed Friendship Park, looking toward the Tijuana bullring. Courtesy of Friends of Friendship Park
 The historic border monument used to be accessible from either side of the fence but is now completely cut off from the American side by the first of the double fences. In the background is the Tijuana lighthouse, El Faro en Playas de Tijuana. |
 Before COVID-19, people were allowed to enter Friendship Park (maximum of 10 at a time) to meet with friends and loved ones through the fence. Photos by Sandé Lollis, 2022 |
Friendship Park/El Parque de la Amistad, on the border between San Diego and Tijuana, is one of a very few binational parks with Mexico or Canada and has long been a symbol of family gathering and cordial relations between two nations. Today you will find a stark border wall dividing the two countries, but 50 years ago this park was a place where Americans and Mexicans could meet, share gifts and food through a chain-link fence, and blur the lines between nations. Unfortunately, in recent years, the United States Customs and Border Protection has prevented public access to this historically and culturally significant landmark on the U.S. side. However, the Mexican side remains open to all, near the ocean at La Playas de Tijuana.
The Friends of Friendship Park continue to advocate for public access, historic protection, and the creation of a true international site that may once again straddle the border. The group is exploring the exciting possibilities of the park becoming a National Historic Landmark (NHL) and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Currently, the park’s Italian marble obelisk border monument, one in a series that has marked the international boundary since 1849, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. While this designation based on regional significance is important, U.S. National Historic Landmark recognition would further acknowledge the entire park’s national significance. See other NHL sites in San Diego HERE. Designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site would recognize the park on a global scale, and draw attention to its unique location, natural landscape, and binational purpose.
As Friendship Park continues to face extended closures, further restrictions, and modifications to the border wall that negatively impact its beauty and cultural significance, it is more important than ever to protect and preserve this site for its contributions to our history and cultural diversity. The U.S. government has neglected this park for too long, and we’re grateful to the Friends for pursuing options that will help bring it back to life and secure future public enjoyment.
To support the Friends of Friendship Park and stay up to date on their latest efforts and progress, visit friendshippark.org.
|
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
|
