Historic meeting place on US/Mexico border will once again host bi-national reunions
Last Saturday, October 6, Friendship Park – the historic, bi-national meeting place overlooking the Pacific Ocean on the U.S.-Mexico border – was officially “open to the public” Saturdays and Sundays between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
After several years of negotiation with San Diego Border Patrol officials, leaders from the Friends of Friendship Park community coalition received confirmation last week that the park will be open each weekend during the stated hours. Border Patrol agents on site will allow 10 people at a time to enter Friendship Park to visit with friends and family in Mexico.
“Friendship Park serves not only as a great symbol of the important connection between the people of our two countries, but as a meeting place where family and friends can see their loved ones. I’m happy to see Friendship Park re-open and continue to serve as a park where people from both sides of our border can come together,” said San Diego Congressman Bob Filner.
For generations Friendship Park has been a celebrated meeting place on the U.S.-Mexico border. In 1971 then-First Lady Pat Nixon inaugurated the surrounding area as California’s Border Field State Park. Across the years Friendship Park also hosted a wide range of community and religious events. In 2009 San Diego Border Patrol eliminated public access to Friendship Park as part of a massive build-up of security barriers and border infrastructure.
The Friends of Friendship Park are now working with officials from San Diego Border Patrol to organize a “grand re-opening” of the park later this fall. Special events will once again be organized at the Park, including Fandango Fronterizo, Border Encuentro, Marcha Migrante, and La Posada Sin Fronteras, now scheduled for December 8, 2012.
The Friends of Friendship Park hope that this announcement will encourage people from near and far to visit this historic location. Friendship Park is accessible from the Monument Road entrance to Border Field State Park. The State Park charges a $5 admission fee per vehicle with vehicle access seasonally on weekends only. The State Park is accessible year-round to pedestrians.
“Friendship Park has been visited by friends and families for generations. It is important for families to be able to come together and meet without barriers,” said San Diego Councilmember David Alvarez, District 8.
For more information visit: http://friendshippark.org/index.html