SAN DIEGO (Border Report) — With two new border barriers almost done at the beach, some groups, including Friends of Friendship Park, wonder if it’s finally time to reopen Friendship Park.
For decades, the public could walk up to the border fence and meet with friends and family on the other side of the wall; Border Patrol agents supervised access into the area.
The site was routinely opened on weekends for a few hours late in the morning and early afternoon.
However, it was closed when the COVID-19 pandemic began more than four years ago.
Now that it’s over, the park remains closed to the public.
During the past year, construction work on the two border fences has prevented reopening.
The new 30-foot structures were erected as a necessary safety measure, replacing the old walls that were in danger of falling down, as reported by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
The park itself is located in an area between these two new barriers.
Friends of Friendship Park say that two weeks ago, the Border Patrol told them there was still some work to be done, which is why the park is still not open.
The group also says Border Patrol has indicated the ongoing migrant crisis is strapping its staffing levels.
Other groups, including Border Church, which holds church services on Sundays at the site, and Fandango Fronterizo, a musical festival, say the Border Patrol has denied permits to hold events at Friendship Park.
Emails to Border Patrol with questions about the likelihood of reopening Friendship Park still need to be returned.
The agency has also said that “when it’s operationally feasible, it will revisit opening the park.”
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