Friendship Park (San Diego–Tijuana) facts for kids
Friendship Park is a special half-acre park located right on the border between the United States and Mexico. It's part of a bigger area called Border Field State Park in California. What makes it unique is that the border fence runs right through it, allowing people from both countries to meet and talk, even if they can't always touch. On the U.S. side, the park is now federal land and is watched closely by the United States Border Patrol all the time. On the Mexican side, it's next to Playas de Tijuana.
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Park History
After the Mexican–American War in the 1850s, the U.S. and Mexico worked together to place a special stone marker on a beach bluff. This marker showed where the border officially began between the two countries.
Years later, on August 18, 1971, the area around this marker became a California State Park. Pat Nixon, who was the First Lady of the United States at the time, officially opened it. She called it "International Friendship Park" and even said, "I hope there won't be a fence too long here."
For many years, there was only a simple barbed wire fence. People from both sides could meet and even touch under the watchful eyes of the U.S. Border Patrol. Many different events happened here, like yoga classes, church services, weddings, dances, and baptisms. It was a place for families and friends to connect.
However, things changed in 1994. Because of worries about people crossing the border without permission, a long fence was built between San Diego and Tijuana. This included a fence right through Friendship Park. This was part of something called Operation Gatekeeper, which aimed to make the border more secure. After the September 11 attacks in 2001, border security became even tighter. Even then, people could still touch hands and pass small items through the fence.
In 2009, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security closed Friendship Park. A second, stronger fence was built, stretching into the Pacific Ocean. This new fence had barbed wire, sensors, and cameras. A wide road for Border Patrol vehicles was also added, along with a third tall wall made of steel bars. In 2011 and 2012, the old beach barrier was replaced with new bars that went 300 feet into the ocean.
By 2012, after many people and groups asked for it, the government agreed to reopen the park. But now, there's an outer fence that blocks public access unless the U.S. Border Patrol allows it. The fence right on the border is now a thick steel mesh. It's hard to see through, and people can only touch fingertips.
Children's Day at the Border
A group called Border Angels asked the U.S. government for something special. They wanted a gate in the fence at Friendship Park to be opened briefly for Children's Day. This holiday is celebrated in April in Mexico. The first time this happened was in 2013, and it was repeated in 2015 and 2016.
During these events, Border Patrol officers would lift a steel bar that locked a special gate. This allowed children and adults from a small number of families, who were separated by the border, to meet and hug for a short time. It was a very emotional moment for many families.
Visiting Friendship Park
Visiting from the U.S. Side
The United States Border Patrol allows people to visit the park on Saturdays and Sundays. It's usually open from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. To get there, you first need to enter Border Field State Park on Monument Road. You can drive, or if the road is closed to cars, you can walk about 1.8 miles to reach the park at Monument Mesa.
The Border Patrol might limit how many visitors can enter the park. They may also ask to see your ID. It's important to know that you cannot pass anything through the fence. This includes food, money, gifts, or notes. Doing so is against customs rules.
Visiting from the Mexico Side
From the Mexico side, there are no special rules or limits on how you can access the park. People can visit freely.
Friends of Friendship Park
Friends of Friendship Park is a group of people who want to see the park fully open again. They work to make it easier for families and friends to visit each other at this important border spot. Many families rely on this park to stay connected with their loved ones.
