In addition to visitor-focused research, a multi-layered approach for input included frequent meetings with in-park stakeholders, Park-familiar thought partners, and for the first time, an advisory board composed of people representing many of San Diego’s diverse communities. This group of advisors has been instrumental in many aspects of the project including: development of the scope of work, selection of planning partners, and providing support for the plan’s community research.

The plan builds on existing assets and systems.

Balboa Park Cultural District is already a great experience, drawing millions of visitors each year. Existing reports and unimplemented plans focus on the creation of new things. This planning effort looked first at what can be done with adjustments to existing processes, assets, and experiences. Identifying opportunities to modify and optimize what is already in place reduces the time and cost of implementation.

The Experience Plan is a collective effort initiated by Balboa Park Cultural Partnership Leaders

Experience Plan Task Force Committee

Elizabeth Babcock, Forever Balboa Park
Judy Gradwohl, San Diego Natural History Museum
James G. Kidrick, San Diego Air & Space Museum
Bill Lawrence, San Diego History Center
Dr. Micah Parzen, Museum of Us

Dr. Michael Remson, San Diego Youth Symphony & Conservatory
Timothy J. Shields, The Old Globe
Dr. Steven Synder, Fleet Science Center

Experience Plan Advisory Board

Laura Araujo, AIGA San Diego
Emma Bloom, Arts and Culture Professional
Lani Bautista Cabanilla, The San Diego Foundation
Christina Chadwick, Parks & Recreation, City of San Diego
Ashanti Davis, Arts and Culture Professional
Makeda Dread Cheatom, WorldBeat Cultural Center
Lauren Garces, Social Artistry
Leticia Gomez Franco, Balboa Art Conservation Center
Ericka Gonzales, Community Member
Leah Goodwin, Leah Goodwin Creations
Sonia Gutiérrez, Palomar College
Mayra Hernandez, Community Member
Roberto D. Hernandez, Centro Cultural de la Raza
Clovis Honore, Community Organizer
Luanna Kanzawa, Japanese Friendship Garden
Bob Lehman, San Diego Museum Council
Sheldon Margolis, Community Member

Alessandra Moctezuma, San Diego Mesa College
Anthony Montalvo, Council District 3 Representative
Francisco Morales, The Front, Casa Familiar
Amanda Nelson, District 3 Community Member
Su Nguyen, Little Saigon Foundation
Kristie Orosco, Sycuan Band of Kumeyaay Nation
Dr. Micah Parzen, Museum of Us
Quincey Penn, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
Margaret Iwanaga Penrose, Union of Pan Asian Communities (UPAC)
Elizabeth Rodriguez, Community Representative for Councilmember Moreno
Christophver Rose, Community Member
Katalina Silva, Enigma Creative
Dr. Steven Snyder, Fleet Science Center
Chris Thibodeaux, San Diego County Sheriff
Alison Workman, Neighborhood House Association
Laura Zee, The Old Globe

Balboa Park Cultural Partnership Board of Directors

Elizabeth Babcock, Forever Balboa Park
Makeda Dread Cheatom, WorldBeat Cultural Center
Judy Gradwohl, San Diego Natural History Museum
Jessica Hanson York, Mingei International Museum
Jack Harkins, The Veterans Museum at Balboa Park
Robert D. Hernández, Centro Cultural de la Raza
Nik Honeysett, Balboa Park Online Collaborative
Luanne Kanzawa, Japanese Friendship Garden
James G. Kidrick, San Diego Air & Space Museum
Deborah Klochko, Museum of Photographic Arts
Erika Kohler, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
Bill Lawrence, San Diego History Center

Lenny Leszczynski, San Diego Automotive Museum
Dr. Micah Parzen, Museum of Us
Megan Pogue, Timken Museum of Art
Dr. Michael Remson, San Diego Youth Symphony & Conservatory
Anthony Ridenhour, San Diego Model Railroad Museum
James Saba, San Diego Junior Theatre
Timothy J. Shields, The Old Globe
Dr. Steven Snyder, Fleet Science Center
Kim Thomas, San Diego Civic Youth Ballet
Andrew Utt, ICA San Diego
Rita Vandergaw, Comic-Con Museum
Roxana Velásquez, The San Diego Museum of Art

Partners and Stakeholders

Design Team

Project lead, human-centered design research and planning studio
Landscape architecture, urban design and planning
Operations and business planning
Local youth engagement
Local arts and culture advisor