Surprisingly enough, our own fair city of San Diego happens to be the second-largest hub for sex trafficking in all of America. While that is not a category that we want to lead in to be sure, Saved in America is proud to call it home and our base of operation— a place we can branch out of to do the good work of bringing kid’s taken in sex trafficking home all across this great nation. Thankfully, though, San Diego has other notable accomplishments besides the dire notoriety of being known as a hotbed for the sex trade industry. In fact, one such bright spot that is worthy of admiration and proclamation is the recently opened Palisades Plaza in Balboa Park.

Balboa Park: San Diego 

City leaders were happy to unveil the long-anticipated Palisades Plaza in Balboa Park in January of this year. This park has a rich history as one that was first opened for the California Pacific International Exposition in 1935. This most recent project replaces the South Palisades parking lot, transforming it instead into a pedestrian plaza located alongside the San Diego Automotive Museum, The San Diego Air & Space Museum, the Comic-Con Museum and the Mid-City Gymnasium. 

Mayor Kevin Faulconer said the following about the grand opening:

“By restoring the Palisades to its original grandeur, we’ve turned a crumbing parking lot in Balboa Park into the next great public space—complete with new amenities, seating and landscaping—for San Diegans to enjoy at a time when they need it most.” 

He went on to add:

“The investments we’ve made to improve parks across the city have resulted in more outdoor recreational opportunities available today than ever before for San Diegans.”

Restoration of Community and Family

We at Saved in America are thrilled at the betterment project brought forth by the city to improve the city’s safety and aesthetics within Balboa Park. We look forward to seeing families playing and enjoying each other’s company in the future and appreciate the removal of areas like the broken-down parking lot that could be used by sex traffickers. While having a nice pedestrian area to replace this eyesore doesn’t necessarily guarantee a movement away from sex trafficking and towards the restoration of family and community, it is a step in the right direction.