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Overview: Pepper Grove has history
The 1,400 acres of pueblo land that are now Balboa Park were set aside for public use by the Mexican government in 1835.
Pepper Grove is a section of Balboa Park that is home to plants in stunning green hues.
Known for its Brazilian pepper trees, the park provides peace and shade for those looking for a romantic picnic spot, but it’s also far enough from the Tot Lot to keep families entertained and laughing.
There are swings for kids and adults at the playground. It will be tempting to start pumping up as high as you can and go into a swing.
When I did, I attempted to play the old-fashioned game of pretending to use my toes to touch the trees.
Leaping?
Despite the safer rubberized matting beneath the swings, I never did and most definitely don’t today.
Look over as you stand at the brink of the canyon, but be careful because the slope is severe in some spots.
The Japanese Friendship Garden’s back side will be visible to you.
The organist may also play powerful notes that reverberate across the canyon on Sunday afternoons.
Notable history to cover
The history of Pepper Grove is extensive.
The 1,400 acres of pueblo land that are now Balboa Park were reserved for public use by the Mexican government in 1835.
The region was renowned for its natural beauty at the time. The area frequently featured fauna, such as coyotes and wildcats, as well as a varied plant diversity.
These days, a diversity of birds frequent the park.
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I have witnessed Nutmeg Mannikins, a finch species that was formerly enthralled but escaped and is now part of San Diego’s bird population. Crows and ravens also enjoy Pepper Grove, and I’ve seen them perched in the trees above. The park is frequently frequented by Western Bluebirds.
The sturdy flowering bushes with delicate blooms, known as Blue Plumbago, along the park’s northern boundary during this time of year.
The green grass surrounding the Brazilian pepper trees’ trunks and roots is speckled with tiny clover blossoms. The tree’s roots resemble long fingers reaching out to pick the tiny clover.
The city of San Diego and the Works Progress Administration contributed to the development of Pepper Grove into what it is now in the 1930s.
As a result of the efforts and commitment of both current park maintenance staff and previous generations, the Brazilian pepper trees are now more larger and taller.
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Whether it’s sunny or overcast, Pepper Grove is a great place to spend a little time in the park.
Cynthia G. Robertson is a freelance photographer and writer who has won awards. For over 30 years, she has written captivating tales about people and places in Southern California. In addition, her poems, essays, and stories have appeared in anthologies such as Six Feet Apart in the Time of Corona and the literary journal Acorn Review. She writes a blog on her spirituality and nature observations, and she wrote her first book, Where You See Forever, in 2019. Her next book is currently in development. Visit Cynthia Robertson’s website to learn more.
