Veterans Memorial Garden – Balboa Park, San Diego, California
With Austin Veum Robbins Partners
This 1.1 acre garden in San Diego’s Balboa Park celebrates the contributions to our freedom made by our Veterans. The design is comprised of 3 components; a land, air and sea garden, united by a central gathering place and a small amphitheatre. The design of the Veteran’s Circle represents the principles of Honor, Duty and Country. Quotes from past Presidents are inlaid with bronze letters in colored terrazzo paving. An 18-foot bronze replica of the B-24 Liberator Bomber hovers above a reflecting pool, which mirrors the night sky, often used by navigators during night time bombing runs. During the height of World War II, San Diego was churning out 100 bombers a week.
The amphitheater made from local cobble and concrete, can sit up to 50 visitors for docent talks. A row of flags representing all branches of service and POW/MIA’s flies high above the walk that joins the Veterans Center to the garden. Accessible routes were designed from 3 directions. Five Bronze plaques tell the story of the garden, its donors and The B-24’s and the Bomb groups who donated to the garden.
Visitors are greeted by rows of red and white border roses, accented by cobalt blue Agapanthus in waves resembling our national flag. The poppy garden, designed with Flanders Poppies, the symbol of Veterans’ organizations, brings a sense of annual renewal. The design required careful siting around and protection of seven large Podocarpus trees, all over 70 years of age.
