FOREVER BALBOA PARK
Programs
Park Improvement and Volunteer Programs
Park Improvement Projects and Programs:Parkwide Volunteers:The Organization recruits, trains, and retains volunteers to support an array of Park needs, from garden and tree maintenance to visitor experience services. Growing to more than 300 volunteers strong, current programs include: Park Ambassadors, Tree Stewards, Tree Maintenance Volunteers, Garden Stewards, Rose Garden Corps, Tour Guides, and Information Desk Volunteers. Volunteers perform vital functions within the Park, and the program is certified by the Points of Light Foundation as an official Service Enterprise organization, one of only 11% nonprofits nationwide.Park Activation:The Organization supports the City's Parks and Recreation Department in placemaking and Park activation endeavors, including parkwide tours, clean-ups, community tree plantings, and provisioning of volunteers for visitor services for December Nights. In addition to events, the Organization works with other Park stakeholders to provide important infrastructure and programming that supports community connection in public spaces. The Organization hosts high school and college level interns each year, engaging them in workforce training on landscape architecture, GIS and mapping, marketing and communications, and leadership development skills. The Organization also partners with other Park organizations to support field trip programs and summer camp programs with tours and training orientations.Park Improvement:The Organization's process for selecting Park Improvement programs and capital improvement projects includes regular collaboration with, and ongoing input from, Park stakeholders and the City.The Organization's lead programs and projects that sustain and enhance the Park include the following initiatives:Urban Forest Initiative - a comprehensive tree inventory, site-specific tree plantings, sapling distribution programs, and a grant-funded initiative to plant hundreds of trees in the Park, while engaging youth and community members in learning about the climate and ecosystem benefits of caring for the Park's urban forest.Wayfinding and Signage - implementation of recommendations for a comprehensive wayfinding strategy to improve the visitor experience and to enhance access, circulation, and orientation. This strategy encompasses redesigning, updating, distributing, and installing a comprehensive Park map, and designing and installing wayfinding, Park identification, and pedestrian orientation signs in several key locations within the Park.Convenings and Awards - collaborative planning, design, and outreach, including a series of park-wide stakeholder meetings and support for programs focused specifically on horticulture and Park improvement projects. The newest project, the annual sPARK Awards, celebrates creative collaboration in the Park by honoring other inspirational organizations and individuals.Gardens Enhancement (a) upgraded gardens throughout the Park, with significant improvements to the Cactus Garden including irrigation planning, species identification mapping, and interpretive QR codes, elevating the stature of this neglected garden, (b) provided removal, redesign, and implementation of the Rose Garden pergola project, (c) recruited and trained dozens of new Garden Stewards, and (d) managed an Adopt-a-Plot program, guiding plot adopters in creating and maintaining their designated plots.Trail Restoration - restoration of degraded trails in the Park, including the 26th Street trail in the Golden Hill neighborhood of the Park; enhancements to the Kate O. Session Cactus Garden trail and a trail in the Trees for Health medicinal garden, opening up these areas of the Park for park-goers of all physical abilities; collaboration with the Park Ranger team to identify future trail restoration projects to protect biodiversity and enhance outdoor learning and recreation.Botanical Building and GardensThe Botanical Building and Gardens is an architectural and horticultural treasure where Park visitors are introduced to the plethora of plants that flourish in the mild Southern California climate as well as to species from around the world. Constructed for the 1915 Panama-California Exposition, the iconic building remains one of the largest wood lath structures in the world.The shared vision for the Botanical Building and Gardens future is to create a world-class botanical experience that inspires people to connect to nature. The facility and surrounding gardens have long been in need of revitalization, which will be accomplished through restoration of the original 1915 structure and creation of a meaningful botanical experience for the 21st century. Using federal, state, local, and private funding raised through the Organization's multi-year capital campaign, the building and gardens are being restored to their former glory, with the Organization serving as the City's private partner.The City is leading Phase 1 of the project, which includes the full restoration of the building to its original 1915 design, recreating the series of arched openings with Palladian-style windows and large doors, and opening up the inside space to the surrounding gardens as intended. Updated planting designs and accessible walkways will present visitors with the wonders of biodiversity, while ensuring all visitors can enjoy the experience. State-of-the-art lighting and new irrigation systems will be added. Two new additions to the building's north facade will provide additional workspace and multipurpose rooms for educational and public programming.The Organization is leading Phase 2 of the restoration and revitalization of the landmark building and gardens by reconstructing the historic pergola, revitalizing the surrounding gardens, and repairing fountains and pathways. Accomplishment of this phase will provide for improved botanical collection management, an enhanced visitor experience, and expanded educational and programming use.An important element of the Organization's capital campaign is to raise several years of funding for trained Garden Stewards volunteers to help maintain the landscapes. The Organization's corps of over 300 engaged volunteers provides daily care for the Park's 20+ gardens and 16,000 trees. Once open, the new landscapes will be one of the sites cared for by these dedicated and expertly trained volunteers.The Organization's capital campaign also includes startup funding for public programming to engage and educate visitors of all ages, using the Botanical Building and Gardens as the learning setting. An overarching goal of this programming will be to integrate the arts, science, technology, and environmental learning using the botanical collection. K-12 field trips and support for teachers will advance science and environmental learning goals appropriate for a wide range of curricula and will be linked to state learning standards. Family-focused and arts-infused public programs will enchant visitors from across our diverse region and beyond. Youth internships will provide an introduction to careers in landscape design, horticulture, environmental conservation, and green jobs. Volunteer-led tours of the restored gardens will provide an insider glimpse into the ways in which innovative and water-smart design choices benefit this landmark public space. The revitalization and activation of this public space in the heart of San Diego will make it a valued resource and exceptional visitor experience for the Park's millions of annual visitors.GeographiesNot indicatedDatesJul 1, 2023 – Jun 30, 2024Source990No causes providedNo populations provided–$1.1MBalboa Park Visitor Services
Balboa Park Visitors Center: Retail Operations and Guest ServicesThe Balboa Park Visitors Center informs, educates, and serves over 600,000 visitors annually. The largest visitor center in the region, the Parks Visitors Center is supported by multilingual staff and volunteers with diverse backgrounds, who are trained to promote parkwide institutions and activities and to provide free and custom tours, maps, and information. The Visitors Center operates a gift store to offset the cost of visitor services and sells essential visitor amenities along with Park multi-museum passes, and zoo tickets.GeographiesNot indicatedDatesJul 1, 2023 – Jun 30, 2024Source990No causes providedNo populations provided–$784.9KHouse of Hospitality Preservation
House of Hospitality: Historic Facilities, GardensThe Organization maintains and preserves the House of Hospitality, a National Historic Landmark building, providing clean public restrooms, ongoing facility care, and security for tenants and visitors. The Visitors Center is housed in the House of Hospitality, along with the Organizations offices, The Prado Restaurant, a ballroom, meeting rooms, and offices for nonprofit cultural and educational organizations operating within the Park. The House of Hospitality serves visitors numbering over 1,000,000 each year.GeographiesNot indicatedDatesJul 1, 2023 – Jun 30, 2024Source990No causes providedNo populations provided–$772.8K
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