The Shoe Tree in Balboa Park
Tip of the Week: January 5, 2008
UPDATE:
One day after posting this TIP, and on January 9th after San Diego's significant rainfall, the shoe tree became too saturated and toppled over: See article in local paper.
Let's start the year out with whimsy and something unique, free and feeling a bit like a scavenger hunt.
Balboa Park's eastern side has some interesting adventures. First there's the Disc/Frisbee Golf Course and second, the relatively unknown "Shoe Tree".
Some time back in the 1980's, Frisbee Golf players started tossing their tennis shoes up into the tree. In 2008, the tradition continues. Hundreds of shoes fill and drape the limbs and branches of this tree. A tree which was destined to meet the chipper and become mulch due to its unfortunate dying/dead status. But for all things there is a reason, even dead trees, because this tree got a second chance to bring a thing of beauty to those who can appreciate it. In fact, there are so many shoes that a second tree has now become adorned with shoes.
If you haven't seen Frisbee Golf or a tennis shoe tree, have fun hunting them down. TIP: the tree is between tees 1 and 2. Oh, and it is free to look! Just be careful you don't get pummeled by a frisbee or yelled at by the serious frisbee tossers.
Okay, where do I find it? Morley Field-Balboa Park
Off of I-5 North or South - Pershing Drive-Morley Field/Balboa Park. Follow Pershing to the Morley Field Disc Golf Course which is easily spotted on the left side of Pershing (across from the regular Golf Course) adjacent to the dirt parking lot.
Cost to play: $2.50 weekdays/$3.00 weekends/holidays. $35.00 monthly passes and $385 annual pass. Passes are available in January only.
Check out MorelyField.com to find out more details: http://morleyfield.com/
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