Would you like to walk beneath the branches of one of the most impressive and beloved trees in San Diego?
I remember when I was a boy, people used to walk right up to the trunk of the huge Moreton Bay Fig tree in Balboa Park–that enormous tree just north of the Natural History Museum. Kids would even climb about its limbs. But over the years too many feet compacted the soil above the tree’s root system, threatening to kill it. So the historic tree, planted just before the 1915 Panama-California Exposition in Balboa Park, was fenced off to the public.
But there are plans that will allow people to approach this mighty tree once again!
A raised platform is to be built at the base of the Moreton Bay Fig. The structure will not interfere with the tree’s root system, which has been carefully mapped. Once the project is complete, the public will be able to more fully appreciate the beauty and majesty of this amazing 78 feet tall tree.
The Friends of Balboa Park, an organization whose mission is to preserve Balboa Park’s legacy for future generations, is raising money to construct the platform, and they could use a few more donations.
If you’d like to learn more about this cool project, and perhaps help out the Friends of Balboa Park, visit their website here!
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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
I’ve been to San Diego twice and visited Balboa both times but never saw this tree. Have to look for it next visit! Thanks for sharing
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Have to wonder if some adventuresome kids will once more climb it! Looks like a great climbing tree! –Curt
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I believe people will be able to observe it more closely, but no more climbing.
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I suspected as much, Richard. Tempting. though. 🙂
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