Building Bridges in San Diego
By Elli Wooten, Construction Coordinator, 2025 Summer Staff
Creating a satellite garden and eagle puppet with Friends of International Friendship Park was the most impactful project for me and many volunteers last summer in San Diego.
Friendship Park was once a circular garden situated on the US-Mexico border where friends and families could peacefully gather. Now, the lush Mexico side is harshly contrasted with two 30-foot tall metal fences and barren soil on the US side.
“Friendship Park was once a circular garden situated on the US-Mexico border where friends and families could peacefully gather.”
This summer, volunteers created a satellite garden a few miles from Friendship Park at the Tijuana River Valley Community Garden to establish a new meeting place and symbol of unity with our neighbors in Mexico. We installed a vibrant mural painted by university students in Tijuana, built a shade structure, and replicated the semi-circle of painted tires on the Mexico side. My favorite experience was contributing to the wish garden with volunteers; we wrote our dreams on rocks to continue the original garden’s tradition.
“This summer, volunteers created a satellite garden a few miles from Friendship Park at the Tijuana River Valley Community Garden to establish a new meeting place and symbol of unity.”
Volunteers also created a 17-foot long eagle puppet while friends in Mexico built a condor puppet to symbolize the indigenous legend of the eagle and condor flying together to bring peace.
I was so impressed by the beautiful conversations work teams had about the cultural and historical significance of the projects, and I feel honored to have had the opportunity to work with so many amazing people.
Editor’s Note: While SSP isn’t operating a summer site in San Diego in 2026, we maintain strong connections with our community partners and encourage volunteers to join us year-round for Alternative Spring Breaks! Contact us to learn more.