nybg: Disturbing news from our friends at Balboa...

nybg:

Disturbing news from our friends at Balboa Park in San Diego where the “Laguna de las Flores” water lily pond was extensively damaged last weekend by attendees of an overnight adult water gun fight. Infrastructure, plantings, and fish in the iconic water lily pond were damaged.

This beautiful space was built in the 1200-acre park as part of the Panama-California Exposition and has a rich history that includes stints as a training pool to teach new recruits to swim during World War I and as a place of rehab for injured GIs returning to the States during World War II. Balboa Park is also home to the awesome San Diego Zoo and many museums and theaters. It’s a really amazing place.

The water gun fight, which was not technically illegal, was arranged via social media. Police and the park’s one overnight guard were aware of the impending fight. It is estimated that the event was attended by an 300-400 people (though one witness estimated the crowd at nearly 1,000). Damage is estimated at about $10,000 and charges are expected to be pressed against anyone found to have been involved in the vandalism. If you have information about the damage, please contact the San Diego police department. If you would like to help fund restoration of the pool, click here. ~AR