For generations, the pergola in the Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden has quietly framed some of Balboa Park’s most meaningful moments: wedding photos, family strolls, and spring days spent among thousands of roses in bloom. Time and weather took their toll, but the pergola structure remained a beloved and familiar presence, rich with memories.
Today, that legacy is being thoughtfully renewed.
After years of careful monitoring and planning, the original delipidated pergola was safely removed last year, and work is actively underway to prepare the site for a new, historically inspired pergola. This restoration represents a significant milestone, underscoring Forever Balboa Park’s role as a trusted caretaker of the Park’s most cherished gardens and landscapes.
Designed to echo the elegance and proportions of the original structure while meeting modern safety and durability standards, the new pergola will once again offer shade, beauty, and a welcoming place to gather in the Rose Garden. The project is moving forward in close partnership with the City of San Diego and Balboa Park partners, with completion anticipated in 2026.
For those who maintain this garden week after week, the change was felt deeply. As one of our devoted Rose Garden Corps volunteers told us:
“We had known for a while that the pergola needed either repair or replacement, but it was a bit of a surprise when it had to be closed off and taken down on short notice because of the storm damage,” shared Dawn Isbell.
We are so appreciative that the Rose Garden Corps, one of Forever Balboa Park’s largest and most dedicated volunteer groups, has remained steadfast, even amid transition. Their tireless care ensures the garden continues to thrive, even as major restoration work unfolds nearby.
“The fact that the new design bears resemblance to the previous one, as well as the Botanical Building, is appreciated,” Dawn added. “I think people will really like it.”
That continuity matters because Forever Balboa Park’s restoration work is always about honoring, strengthening, and ensuring the Park’s history endures.
A Garden with Deep Roots
Established in 1909 and dedicated to Inez Grant Parker, the Rose Garden has long been one of Balboa Park’s most beloved formal landscapes. Designed to showcase horticultural excellence while welcoming the public, the garden reflects the Park’s early commitment to beauty, access, and civic pride. For more than a century, it has been shaped not only by design, but by generations of care.
Just this January, Rose Garden Corps volunteers carried out their annual pruning, carefully tending more than 1,700 rose plants in just four days. It’s hands-on stewardship at its finest; quiet, skilled work that most visitors never see yet experience every time they walk the garden paths.
During annual pruning:
After annual pruning:
In addition to our volunteers, we are deeply grateful for the enduring support of the Lilyan B. Frank Memorial Rose Garden Endowment Fund at San Diego Foundation. Since 2018, the fund has contributed more than $300,000 toward the ongoing care of the Rose Garden and adjacent Desert Garden, providing critical, long-term investment in these treasured spaces.
The pergola restoration is part of a larger intentional effort led by Forever Balboa Park, one rooted in community, partnership, and accessibility. It reflects our commitment not only to restoring what is visible but to investing in the people, planning, and care that make Balboa Park flourish year after year.
As this new chapter takes shape, we invite you to follow along and be part of our efforts.
Support projects like this and help keep Balboa Park blooming for generations to come by contributing today.
Did You Know?
The Rose Garden is home to more than 1,700 rose plants and remains one of the most photographed gardens in Balboa Park. Its formal layout and pergola have made it a favorite setting for celebrations, quiet reflection, and seasonal bloom viewing for over a century.