Perhaps the most beautiful views of Mission Bay come from this very spot at Kate Bird Park. It is more than just a park. It is a tribute to a woman who transformed San Diego.
Kate Sessions Park is named after Kate Sessions. She was a highly influential horticulturist. Before becoming San Diego’s head botanist, she was a school teacher who had worked at a flower shop.
Kate Sessions was dubbed the ‘Mother of Balboa Park’. She is responsible for planting hundreds of exotic plants throughout San Diego. She urged the city to set aside land for a park on Mt Soledad. The city finally agreed. Originally named Soledad Terrace Park, it was renamed in 1957 on her 100th birthday.
Before it was a park, archeological digs took place here. Ron May an archeologist informed me of this fact. Dinner plate-sized fossil shells were found. Shark teeth the size of hands were also unearthed.
Imagine Kate Sessions in 1884. She had just moved south to San Diego. In 1885, she started a plant nursery. In 1892, she made a deal with the city. She would plant 100 trees a year for 10 years. In exchange, she got a nursery area in Balboa Park’s northwest corner.
Kate Sessions was a tireless business owner. Over her lifetime, she ran nurseries in many locations. These included Coronado, Pacific Beach, and Mission Hills. She introduced many exotic plants. These included the jacaranda, poinsettia, and bird of paradise. Now, these plants are common in local gardens. She inspired local schoolchildren to plant trees. But planting was not enough. The new young plants needed careful nurturing.
It’s true that Kate Sessions introduced exotic species. Some crowded out native plants. However, people didn’t know much about this back then. She also brought rare species to the area. These have managed to survive. She acquired rare palms from Baja California. She dug up a few plants herself on a trip to Cabo San Lucas in 1902. She also planted the Guadalupe cypress tree in Balboa Park. This rare species is from Guadalupe Island, Mexico. It had been threatened by feral goats.
Kate Sessions died at age 82 in 1940. A sculpture of her stands in Balboa Park near the Laurel Street Bridge. Her legacy thrives today.
So, as you enjoy the views here at Kate Bird Park, remember Kate Sessions. She was a visionary. She transformed San Diego into the lush city we know today. This park is a testament to her dedication and love for plants.