Balboa Park is more than a park; it is San Diego’s heart and lungs. Home to more than 17,000 trees — the most diverse tree canopy in the West — and a cultural core that includes 18 museums, the recently restored Botanical Building, the world-famous San Diego Zoo and 34 international cottages, it is a place where our community gathers, learns, celebrates and finds respite. As many as 14 million people walk its paths yearly, making Balboa Park a critical driver of our tourism economy, a sanctuary for wellness, and a cultural cornerstone for our region.
Yet despite its vibrancy, the park is showing its age. Crumbling stucco, outdated irrigation systems, abysmally maintained bathrooms, overgrown trails and neglected infrastructure tell a different story — a story of chronic underfunding and deferred maintenance that now totals between $500 million and $1 billion. For all its beauty, Balboa Park has been quietly deteriorating.
The truth is this: Parks don’t take care of themselves. Across the country, thriving urban parks such as New York City’s Central Park and Forest Park in St. Louis succeed because of sustainable, community-backed funding. Balboa Park deserves the same.
Today, the city of San Diego contributes $14 million annually. Quite plainly, this is not enough to cover the baseline maintenance of Balboa Park, let alone the ongoing needs of such a vast, historic space. Without consistent investment, we risk losing not only the park’s physical integrity but also its cultural vitality and the quality of life it provides to every resident and visitor.
It is unclear how much revenue the city of San Diego’s implementation of paid parking in Balboa Park will ultimately contribute to the annual budget. Still, that city leaders are moving forward with the plan despite its unpopularity indicates how challenged the city is in providing funding. Even with the introduction of a publicly opposed effort to increase revenue, the city will not be able to address the broader funding issues faced by Balboa Park.
As Balboa Park faces aging infrastructure and underfunding, its more than 700 Forever Balboa Park volunteers — who contributed over 32,000 service hours in the past year, valued at more than $1.2 million — play a critical role in keeping the park running. They lead tours, tend gardens and assist with countless daily operations. While their dedication helps the park remain accessible and engaging, it also highlights the urgent need for sustainable funding. Volunteer commitment alone cannot replace the resources necessary to preserve this historic landmark for future generations.
Forever Balboa Park envisions a future where the park is maintained with dignity, restrooms reflect the respect we hold for visitors, historic landmarks like the carousel are fully restored, and trails and gardens remain accessible and inspiring for generations to come. To achieve this, we must build a reliable funding framework that draws from philanthropy, corporate partnerships and sponsorships, county resources, and, yes, the collective support of San Diegans themselves.
The San Diego Zoo is recognized globally as a world-class botanical garden and leader in animal conservation. Since 1934, a parcel tax has provided a predictable revenue source, giving the zoo a stable financial foundation. This stability allows the organization to plan strategically and continually enhance its grounds, programs and visitor experiences for the benefit of all who visit.
Forever Balboa Park recognizes the need for a similar sustainable funding model to ensure the park’s long-term vitality and is exploring a framework to guide it. Whatever the plan ultimately looks like, it will require the vision and support of the majority of San Diegans to ensure the park’s legacy continues. The founders of Balboa Park, more than 100 years ago, were visionary. They left us a jewel right in the center of our city, which deserves an effort equal to the gift they provided.
Imagine what’s possible if we all step up. The question is simple: Do we want Balboa Park to continue as one of the world’s great parks? If the answer is yes, then we must act now. The park belongs to all of us — and its future depends on all of us.
McDonald is president and CEO of Forever Balboa Park.