A celebration walk on Saturday, April 13 marks the realization of a dream born in 1908. Bay to Park Paseo, first envisioned by urban planner John Nolen in 1908, is the work of San Diego’s design and artist communities joining forces to enhance the connection between our two crown jewels, San Diego Bay and Balboa Park.
Bay to Park Paseo features impermanent, engaging and interesting installations from 13 volunteer multi-disciplinary design teams including architects, designers, planners and artists along the 1.7-mile stretch of Park Boulevard through downtown.
The walk marked the official launch of what will be a phased project throughout 2024, culminating in up to 15 installations in public spaces outside iconic locations along Park Boulevard, 11 of which are on display now. Installations will span from the Hilton San Diego Bayfront to the east entrance of Balboa Park at Presidents Way.
“Everyone involved with Bay to Park Paseo is dedicated to enhancing the public realm by generating more walking, more enjoyment and more feet and eyes on the street,” said Pete Garcia, co-founder of URBAN INTERVENTIONS. “The Bay to Park Paseo experience is free, earth-friendly, engaging and transformative.”
Construction of the installations is made possible with support from the project’s sponsors, including the Port of San Diego, area philanthropists, Downtown San Diego Partnership and several others.
“The Bay to Park Paseo experience is the perfectly welcoming way for visitors and residents to walk between two of San Diego’s most iconic attractions, San Diego Bay and Balboa Park,” said Chairman Frank Urtasun, Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners. “Providing the public with this inviting and interactive walkway only enhances their connection to our beautiful waterfront.”
The project is based on tactical urbanism and design thinking which uses low-cost, short-term, and scalable design, public art and landscape interventions to catalyze long-term change.
“This project exists because dozens of remarkable, design-minded San Diegans are donating their time and their ‘design thinking’ skills to address challenges in the public sphere,” said urban planner E. Chloé Lauer.
The project is created and presented by Pete Garcia and Beth Callender of URBAN INTERVENTIONS and E. Chloé Lauer, urban planner and Executive Director of the San Diego County Bike Coalition.
Free public guided tours of The Paseo will be available starting Saturday May 4, 10:30 a.m. and continuing the first and third Saturday through November starting at the front of the Hilton San Diego Bayfront and ending at Balboa Park at Presidents Way. Self-guided tours are available at any time using the public sidewalk along Park Boulevard.
Bay to Park Paseo is a fiscally sponsored project of the San Diego Public Spaces Foundation and is endorsed by World Design Capital 2024 San Diego Tijuana as an Impact Project.
About Bay to Park Paseo
Bay to Park Paseo is a 1.7-mile walking experience along Park Boulevard from San Diego Bay to Balboa Park through downtown. It is led by volunteer designers, artists and storytellers who have created unique, engaging, and impermanent pedestrian experience. Bay to Park Paseo connects San Diego’s two iconic gems, a goal first articulated by notable urban planner John Nolen in 1908.