A unique tree finds a new temporary home, and a historic pergola begins its return.
Last month, dressed in hard hats, fluorescent vests, and closed-toe shoes, our Botanical Building family gathered for a moment years in the making: the groundbreaking of the historic 1915 pergola.
The pergola, which once framed the western edge of the Botanical Building lawn, welcomed visitors for decades with shade and sweeping garden views. Dismantled during World War II, it will now be rebuilt for the first time in more than 70 years—restored to its original beauty and thoughtfully reimagined for today’s park visitors.
This milestone marks a major step forward in Phase Two of the Botanical Building and Gardens revitalization. Known as the Central Gardens, this next chapter will bring beautifully designed spaces featuring a Global Mediterranean plant palette, enhanced accessible walkways, and inviting places for reflection, shade, and connection with nature.
This work is led and funded by Forever Balboa Park, in close partnership with the City of San Diego. Our deepest thanks to the Botanical Building Campaign Cabinet, our donors, volunteers, Trustees, and staff, and to our City partners—including Jon Richards, Andy Field, and the Parks and Recreation team—for making this vision possible.
A Special Moment for a Beloved Tree
The pergola wasn’t the only highlight of the day. The morning began with the careful temporary relocation of a mature Bischofia javanica, or Toog tree. For decades, this tree has anchored the Central Gardens, offering shade and character to one of Balboa Park’s most photographed spaces.
Its move was no ordinary task. Specialized arborists and the BrightView Landscaping team worked with precision and care to lift and relocate the Toog to a safe nearby spot—ensuring its health while making way for the pergola’s return. This thoughtful effort reflects the heart of Forever Balboa Park’s public-private partnership model: protecting the living landscape while advancing major restoration projects.
Now, the Toog will “watch” the pergola’s rebirth from the sidelines. Once construction is complete, it will return to its historic home—ready to shade and welcome visitors for generations to come. It’s a beautiful reminder that in Balboa Park, progress and preservation go hand in hand.
Be Part of the Story
Help bring this vision to life. Your support ensures that historic treasures like the Botanical Building and its surrounding gardens continue to thrive for all who visit.
💚 Donate today to be part of this extraordinary restoration and the future of Balboa Park.