Bird Park Takes Wing
Bird Park, created by the realignment of Pershing Drive nearly twenty years ago, is tucked away at the extreme
northeast corner of Balboa Park by Upas and 28th Street. Designed as a neighborhood park, it is in the shape of an
immense bird with many creative avian details. Originally envisioned as the children’s entrance to Balboa Park, the
area includes many interesting and fun educational features. It is much enjoyed by local residents.
A bird’s-eye view: artist’s conception of Bird Park
The area was originally conceived by artist Robin Brailsford and landscaper Wick Alexander to take advantage of
the shape of the area. Due to budget considerations, details of the original plan were not completed, and, over time,
the area has shown wear. Over the past two decades, the plantings have declined, diminishing the bird features. Now
a volunteer group has a vision of the reincarnation of this delightful bird, replanted with California native plants to
attract, feed and sustain native birds.
This exquisite neighborhood park is the first smartscaping project being undertaken by the waterwise community of
practice of Friends of Balboa Park. With the participation of Tom Zink and Rebecca Lewison, professors from
San Diego State University, the soil, flora and fauna of the park will be monitored as it is restored back to a native
ecology. This is a pilot project for future sustainability efforts which will reduce the use of chemicals and water, as
well as reducing maintenance.
As a first step, Park and Recreation crews have recently cleared the beak of this Brobdingnagian six-acre bird. It
will be planted in California native plants which feed native birds through nectar, seeds or insects attracted by the
plants. With the participation of the community, Bird Park will be replanted in native plants and waterwise plants
which will support and sustain the native birds, in addition to realizing year-round sustainable beauty while greatly
reducing both water and maintenance expenses.
The diverse committee undertaking this project includes the original designers and a variety of experts, among
whom are longtime native landscape contractor, Greg Rubin and Horticulture Committee Chair Lucy Warren,
who in collaboration have just completed a soon-to-be-released book from Timber Press, The California Native
Landscape.
Over the course of the next few years, originally conceived details of the plan will be added, such as a children’s
game to be sandblasted in the sidewalk squares, and supplementary boulders as a dry streambed defining the foot of
the bird. We look forward to involvement of the greater community and welcome participation through volunteer
efforts and donations. For more information about the project, contact Lucy Warren: [email protected].