Pioneer Park — Attraction in San Diego

The park is very rich in history. I wish that people would have a little bit more respect for it. Pioneer Park was once a graveyard and actually still is. There's hundreds of bodies still buried there without headstones. There's one section of the park where about 50 headstones still remain. I watched a group of kids play soccer one afternoon, and their ball kept slamming multiple times into the headstones. A kid would run over and retreave the ball from the headstone like it was just some normal thing. Running right on top of other headstones with complete lack of respect. There were a couple adults there with the kids, so i didn't understand how they didn't just have the kids move back a little. Some people have respect and some don't. Kids need to be taught respect as well. I had a hard time not saying something, but it caused my visit at the park to be very short. It also has some shady people that like to hang out and party. It's a beautiful Park/Graveyard and it deserves to be treated...

I'm giving 5 stars mostly because I LOVE the huge magnolia tree!! I also love the mesquite trees because they remind me of home (Texas). I guess the trees just remind me of the south and I miss it a little. I was also very interested in the history there and seeing the gravestones, although its a little sad that the bodies were never moved and the park where kids are playing and people are walking around hanging out is still a graveyard with bodies (apparently only some of the headstones were moved to one side section). If you can get past that, its a good (small) park to bring the kids and/or dog, or just chill. There's a playground on one side thats kind of separated from the actual park area by the restrooms. Definitely a cool spot for people who like large, old trees or people wanting to see or feel a presence at night (so I've heard). I just wish the parents would keep their kids off the headstones!! Pretty...

Nice park, isolated so quiet. However, only one (1) trash can for whole park!

And -- you are playing and picnicking on DEAD PEOPLE! The park was originally the Cemetery for non-hispanics (ie, foreigners) in the early 1800's as California was absorbed into the US all new burials were done in the 'respectable' cemetery in Old Town.

Of course, as New Town got to be downtown- several other cemeteries were founded further East.

The old non-spanish/non-Mexican cemetery just was abandoned until the City Fathers, in their utter wisdom (/s), decided to move the headstones that were still whole and plow under those that were broken and declare it "Pioneer Park!"

Nowhere on site does it say the bodies were desecrated and plowed under... You must go into the City archives or into the San Diego Historical Society archives to find that info.

So, if you don't care- or feel ghoulish on the Night of the Dead-...