Historic Pergola Revealed in Balboa Park’s Central Gardens

A new chapter begins at the Botanical Building and Gardens

On Friday, April 10, Forever Balboa Park invited civic leaders, supporters, and members of the Balboa Park community to celebrate the completion of the Central Gardens, and reveal the reconstructed historic pergola.

Located just west of the Botanical Building, the pergola was originally built alongside the Botanical Building for the 1915 Panama-California Exposition, however it was lost during World War II. With its redwood lattice and grand five-bay design, the pergola provides a peaceful and beautiful view of the Botanical Building and the revitalized gardens surrounding the structure.

Forever Balboa Park is proud to have helped restore both the Botanical Building and the pergola to its original architectural design, but this wouldn’t have been possible without our community. As Jacqueline Higgins, Vice President of Planning, shared during the event, “It takes a village,” and we are grateful to each of our partners, donors, volunteers, and community members who supported this $10 million capital campaign over the years and helped bring this vision to life.

The revitalization also included the irrigation and planting of nine climate-conscious Mediterranean gardens designed for San Diego, expanded accessible pathways, and the restoration of surrounding historic features. As plantings begin to grow and the landscape evolves, the Central Gardens will continue to grow into a lush, immersive destination for all.

However the work is far from over. Forever Balboa Park, in partnership with the City of San Diego, is committed to ensuring the Botanical Building and Central Gardens remain exquisite for years to come. We have established a private fund to care for this space, and your support directly contributes to our staff and volunteers’ ability to maintain, enhance, and care for this shining jewel within Balboa Park. Naming opportunities in the Botanical Building and Central Gardens begin at $5,000, and you can learn more about the project by visiting balboaparkbotanical.org.

Relive the festivities from the Pergola Reveal: