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Technology comes to Balboa Park

By
Industry Observer with Retired

http://www.flickr.com/photos/xtimu/New computerized information will be available soon for tourists and citizens of San Diego in Balboa Park via 3 new 12 foot high information kiosks that have been in the planning stages for over 10 years. Achieved with private funding,Wi-Fi services will be also be available as the these new information kiosks will be one of the new "Hot Spots" in San Diego.

The computerized kiosks located in key strategic places in the park will provide detailed information on all the museums, the gardens, retail shops, and the available restaurants throughout Balboa Park. The other featured services of these kiosks will include the ability of visitors to send an e-mail postcard from Balboa Park to friends and family wherever they may be and also to be able to access the Internet with its Wi-Fi Hot Spot capabilities. As a welcome additional service, the kiosks will also house ATM machines.

When more funds are raised,there are plans in the works to provide several more of these computerized kiosks throughout the Park. But these new 21st century Kiosks willmake San Diego one of the real leaders in providing information and technology within city parks around the US.

The design of the systems which took many years longer than was first projected, required city approval and all the funds were raised privately for these informational kiosks by Friends of Balboa Park. The cost of creating and outfitting the kiosksthat will be booted up and on-line by the end of November 2007 was over $400,000.

Currently, there is a Park Visitor's Center, but it is so most often overlooked because of its location (currently located in the House of Hospitality) and the fact that it is only open during business hours curtailing its ability to meet the needs of Balboa Park visitors on evenings and weekends.

These kiosks will catapult Balboa Park's rating as one of the nations Best City Parks and will lead the way for other major city parks like Chicago's Millennium Park, San Francisco's Golden Gate Park and New York City's Central Park, just to name a few, as they will surely follow this high tech marvel to become more cutting edge and user friendly. The marvel of technology when implemented like this will surely enhance everyones experience of our magnificent San Diego city park.

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Comments(18)

Bryant Tutas
Tutas Towne Realty, Inc and Garden Views Realty, LLC - Winter Garden, FL
Selling Florida one home at a time

Hi William, Those things sound pretty cool. I like the email post card capabilities. Great marketing!!

I used to play Frisbee at Balboa park in the mid 70s. I lived in a hotel on Balboa Blvd right across the street from the park. I remember it being a truly beautiful place(the park not the hotel).

Nov 15, 2007 06:12 AM
William Johnson
Retired - La Jolla, CA
Retired

Hi Bryant, I was just on the phone to our friend Sally in Oahu. The park is so beautiful with all the new building that has taken place and restorations. I love to go there and listen to the organ recitals and wander. I have been thinking about taking some new pictures of Park as the ones I have seen seem dated.

By way of keeping you up to date, Craig Noel at 92 years old, who is the founding director of the Old Globe Theater will receive today from President Bush , the National Medal of Arts at the Whitehouse. He is an amazing individual and so deserving. I might have to write blog about him while he is still around to read it, :-)

Thanks for dropping by and glad to know of your wonderful experience here in San Diego. This park is so awesome and I hope everyone has a chance to experience it.

Nov 15, 2007 06:43 AM
ASHEVILLE REALTY REFERRAL RESOURCE 828-776-0779
REAL ESTATE REFERRAL NETWORK - Asheville, NC
CONTACT janeAnne365@gmail.com

Hi William~ 

Hmmmm! THIS is a very interesting concept. I think I will let our city council here in Asheville know about it...Is it Ok with you if I send them a link to your BLOG?

Nov 15, 2007 07:19 AM
William Johnson
Retired - La Jolla, CA
Retired
I would be honored janeAnne. Thank You!
Nov 15, 2007 07:35 AM
Teri Eckholm
Boardman Realty - White Bear Lake, MN
REALTOR Serving Mpls/St Paul North & East Metro
William--This will no doubt be a fun and valuable resource for visitors to the park whether they live in the area or our tourists!
Nov 15, 2007 07:52 AM
Rick Grand
nowhere - Eugene, OR
that sounds pretty cool William. It is always nice to see growth like that happening :)
Nov 15, 2007 07:56 AM
Mike and Dawn Lewis
The Lewis Team at Keller Williams - San Diego, CA
The Lewis Team at Keller Williams in San Diego CA

William,

Excellent informative post about Americas Finest City with Americas Finest Parks. Balboa Park is such a great place to spend a day and now this technology even makes it better. All the funds raised privately too, I can't think of too many other cities that can pull that off. Good Post!

Mike Lewis

Nov 15, 2007 08:06 AM
William Johnson
Retired - La Jolla, CA
Retired
Hi Teri, I can't wait to get this open so I go there and test them out. I will do a new updated blog then. The design of the kiosks are in keeping with the architecture of these grand buildings from the 1930's World Showcase Expo for which they built.
Nov 15, 2007 08:08 AM
William Johnson
Retired - La Jolla, CA
Retired
Hi Rick, it is wonderful and something most would not think is all that important. Besides the kiosks, having a new free hot spot in such a wonderful environment is just beyond cool and I am so pleased to see San Diego with its myriad of other issues taking the lead on this one.
Nov 15, 2007 08:10 AM
William Johnson
Retired - La Jolla, CA
Retired
Hi Mike, it is so pleasing and all your points are so valid. I can't wait to try one out. I will take my tablet pc and though I have also have wireless connctions, It will be fun to kick off the shoes and stretch out in the grass and search the mls or just blog all about being able to do so.
Nov 15, 2007 08:16 AM
Lynda Eisenmann
Preferred Home Brokers - Brea, CA
Broker Associate ,CRS,GRI,SRES, Brea,CA, Orange Co

William,

Good info. Balboa Park is one of my absolute favorite parks in the U.S. The architecture of the buildings is spectacular. There is so much to see there and I love the history of the place.

Nov 15, 2007 11:41 AM
William Johnson
Retired - La Jolla, CA
Retired
Hi Lynda, Thanks for dropping by. The park is just getting better and better. I mentioned to Broker Bryant this morning that Craig Noel, the founding Director of the Old Globe, is receiving today a lifetime achievement award, The National Medal of Arts from Bush today. Have you even been to the Old Globe? It is a true highlight and resplendent of what all this park has to offer. Wonderful Theater!
Nov 15, 2007 11:54 AM
Gena Riede
Riede Real Estate, Lic. 01310792 - Sacramento, CA
Real Estate Broker - Sacramento CA Real Estate (916) 417-2699
William, that's cutting edge!  I do hope however, that parents will not take the opportunity of using their computers while they are at the park but instead enjoy their children. On the other hand what a great idea in all other aspects. I wonder if San Fran will have some type of I-Pod/I-Phone Kiosk in Golden Gate. Can you imagine...turning it on its side! Just had to add some humor.
Nov 16, 2007 12:19 PM
William Johnson
Retired - La Jolla, CA
Retired

Hi Gena, too funny. A great visual as well,lol

I imagine that many people will enjoy working on their notebook computers that now can't. I know that parents will always be there with the kids and the park will always provide the venue for family enjoyment. But I do love the idea that it is just a great place to escape to read and write and I look forward to doing a blog from there on my observations of one of the most beautiful parks on earth. I love the organ pavillion on Sundays to just get away and listen. It's even free and we should all take advantage of this great place. I also love the Old Globe Theater. Just an amazing experience.

Nov 16, 2007 01:34 PM
Jason Lopez
SmartRealty Solutions - San Diego, CA
Cool little tidbit William!  I read about these the other day and thought how great Balboa Park is and actually took the kids down and hit the Zoo. THX again. 
Nov 17, 2007 03:26 PM
William Johnson
Retired - La Jolla, CA
Retired

Good Morning Jason, Thanks you so much for dropping by and sharing your insight on how wonderful the park is. As citizens of SD we many times take for granted what is just outside our doorways. I join  the Zoo each year as it has provided some wonderful balance in my life and just pleases the heck out me to be able to say, this great environment is in my home town. Thanks again for you nice comments Jason.

 

Nov 18, 2007 02:06 AM
Mike and Dawn Lewis
The Lewis Team at Keller Williams - San Diego, CA
The Lewis Team at Keller Williams in San Diego CA

William

I'll be heading down to Balboa Park to see Christmas on the Prado again this year. I can't wait to see this new technology.

Mike Lewis

Nov 29, 2007 02:46 AM
William Johnson
Retired - La Jolla, CA
Retired
Hi Mike, I will be there as well and will take a new photo to replace the one with the question mark. I will look for you to introduce myself should you be there when I am. All the Best!
Nov 30, 2007 05:50 AM