A major beautification of the Park Boulevard gateway to Balboa Park was unveiled Wednesday by the Friends of Balboa Park.
A half mile of unsightly median along the boulevard — much of it covered with dead grass — has been beautified over the past year with 2,000 drought-tolerant plants and drip irrigation.
“Yet another victory for Balboa Park; yet another achievement by the Friends of Balboa Park,” said John Bolthouse, the new executive director of the nonprofit organization.
He pointed out that even San Diego’s most utilitarian parts can be transformed with landscaping and plants.
Jim Hughes, a board member who led the project, said the work builds upon a water-conservation program at the park that began in 2009 with the installation of computerized irrigation controls.
“This is about water,” said Hughes. “We have a beautiful median with substantial water conservation.”
City Councilman Todd Gloria, whose district includes the park, described the work as “a wonderful improvement to our city’s crown jewel.”
With completion of the median beautification, Friends of Balboa Park can point to nearly $5 million in improvements to the park.
