Activists may replant at bulldozed border garden

SAN DIEGO — The Border Patrol, reacting to a breach in a steel-pole border wall believed to be used by smugglers, gave activists no warning this month when it bulldozed the U.S. side of a cross-border garden overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

On Saturday, after a public apology for “the unintentional destruction,” the agency allowed the activists in a highly restricted area to plant sticky monkey-flowers, seaside daisies and other native species in Friendship Park, which was inaugurated by first lady Pat Nixon in 1971.

The relationship between agents and activists is “hard to reconcile because we have two different agendas, but we’re both in the same place, so we’re trying our best,” said Daniel Watman, a Spanish teacher who spearheads the garden for the volunteer group, Friends of Friendship Park.

The Border Patrol said in a statement after the garden was bulldozed that it was being used “as cover to hide smuggling activities.”

Friends of Friendship Park met Jan. 15 with Douglas Harrison, the Border Patrol’s interim San Diego chief, and settled on a plan to resurrect the garden. Harrison said the intent was to trim the garden, not destroy it.

“We take full responsibility, are investigating the event, & look forward to working with (Friends of Friendship Park) on the path forward,” Harrison said on Twitter.

In a statement Saturday, the Border Patrol said that it values “the friendships we have built over the years with the community.”