>>> THANKS FOR JOINING US FOR THIS LOOK AT SOME OF THE BEST STORIES FROM KPBS NEWS THIS WEEK.

95 YEARS AGO THE LEMON GROVE INCIDENT HELPED PAVE THE WAY FOR DESEGREGATION IN SCHOOLS.

HOW THE COMMUNITY IS TRYING TO PRESERVE THE LESSONS LEARNED.

PLUS, WE GO BEHIND THE SCENES TO SEE HOW THE BALBOA PARK CONSERVATION CENTER HELPS MUSEUMS CARE FOR EVERYTHING FROM PAINTINGS TO HISTORIC ARTIFACTS.

AND ELEPHANTS AT THE SAN DIEGO ZOO SAFARI NOW HAVE MORE ROOM TO ROAM IN THEIR NEW EXHIBIT BUT VISITORS CAN ALSO GET A CLOSER LOOK.

>>> WE BEGIN WITH A STORY THAT HAS DOMINATED NEWS COVERAGE THIS WEEK AS A MILITARY TOWN, MANY SAN DIEGANS ARE DEEPLY IMPACTED BY THE WAR IN THE MIDDLE EAST.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN IS PLAYING A LARGE ROLE IN THE STRIKES ON IRAN AND WITH MORE THAN 150,000 ACTIVE DUTY, MILITARY FAMILIES ARE GRAPPLING WITH ANXIETY, UNCERTAINTY AND OFTEN TIMES LACK OF COMMUNICATION WITH SERVICEMEMBERS.

LEADERS IN SAN DIEGO'S IRANIAN COMMUNITY ARE RELIEVED AT THE DEATH OF THAT COUNTRIES SUPREME LEADER.

BUT KPBS REPORTER JACOB SAYS THEY ARE EXPRESSING MIXED EMOTIONS AT WHAT COMES NEXT.

>> IRAN'S SUPREME LEADER WAS KILLED SATURDAY BY U.S.

AND ISRAELI STRIKES.

HE WAS IN POWER FOR NEARLY 37 YEARS.

LOCALLY, NEWS OF HIS ASSOCIATION ASSASSINATION BROUGHT GREAT JOY FOR MEMBERS OF THE IRANIAN DIASPORA.

>> THIS LEVEL OF JOY AND HAPPINESS IN THE IRANIAN DIASPORA WE ARE FEELING IS CRAZY.

IS INSANE.

THIS WEEKEND, IT WAS A VERY EMOTIONAL DAY.

WE WERE DANCING, WE WERE CHEERING, WE WERE CRYING FROM HAPPINESS.

>> HAS BEEN PROTESTING EVERY WEEK WITH THE ORGANIZATION ALLIANCE SINCE EARLY JANUARY.

SHE SAID THE GOVERNMENT IS BRUTAL TOWARD ITS CITIZENS AND HAS CREATED A HUMAN RIGHTS CRISIS.

ACCORDING TO ONE HUMAN RIGHTS AGENCY, AT LEAST 7000 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED SINCE JANUARY IN A CRUSHING GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO PUBLIC PROTEST.

>> OF COURSE, WE DON'T WANT ANYONE THAT IS INNOCENT IN THIS SITUATION.

BUT RIGHT NOW, IF WE DON'T GET RID OF THIS REGIME IN THE FUTURE THEY ARE GOING TO KILL THOUSANDS MORE.

>> Reporter: THAT ECHOED BY 75- YEAR-OLD.

HE HAS BEEN HELPING TO ORGANIZE PROTESTS AGAINST IRAN'S LEADERSHIP OUTSIDE THE FEDERAL COURTHOUSE IN DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO.

>> WE STILL BELIEVE THAT HALF OF THE REGIME IS STILL THERE THAT HAVEN'T FALLING YET.

AND WE BELIEVE THE IRANIAN PEOPLE HAVE TO STEP UP, THEY FINISHED THE JOB.

THEN WE NEED THE CHANGE BY THEMSELVES BECAUSE IF THEY DON'T DO ANYTHING AND WAIT FOR OTHERS TO DO THE JOB IT MIGHT NOT BE WHAT THEY ARE LOOKING FOR.

>> Reporter: THE IRANIAN RED SOCIETY SAYS AT LEAST 155 IRANIANS HAVE BEEN KILLED SINCE THE BEGINNING OF U.S.

AND ISRAELI ATTACKS ON SATURDAY.

>> WE ARE NOT PRO-WAR BUT AT THE SAME TIME WE COULD RECOGNIZE THAT THE POLICIES AND THE WAY THAT THE IRANIAN GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN BEHAVING IN ALL PAST 47 YEARS, TO ME THEY BROUGHT THIS WAR THE THEMSELVES.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS WHAT COMES NEXT IS JUST AS IMPORTANT.

>> WE ARE HAPPY THOSE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED.

BUT WHERE IT'S GOING, YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT AT THE END THE PEOPLE OF IRAN GET THE DEMOCRACY AND FREEDOM THAT THEY DESERVE.

>> Reporter: BOTH SAY THEY PLAN TO KEEP THEIR PROTESTS GOING AND INCREASE ACTION AS NEEDED.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO WILL START ISSUING WARNING NOTICES NEXT WEEK TO PEOPLE WHO DON'T PAY FOR PARKING AT BALBOA PARK.

AND START ISSUING TICKETS ON MARCH 16th.

EARLIER THIS WEEK, THE CITY ROLLED OUT FREE PARKING FOR SAN DIEGO RESIDENTS IN SOME LOCKS BUT KPBS REPORTER JOHN CARROLL SAYS MUSEUM LEADERS IN THE PARK SAY EVEN THE NEW SITUATION IS UNACCEPTABLE.

>> Reporter: THE CITY STARTED CHARGING FOR PARKING IN BALBOA PARK BACK ON JANUARY 5th.

CITY LEADERS SAY THEY LISTENED TO CONCERNS OF RESIDENTS AND MUSEUM LEADERS IN THE PARK AND CAME UP WITH SOMETHING GOOD FOR EVERYONE.

>> RESIDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO PARK IN UP TO 70% OF THE LOTS IN AND AROUND BALBOA PARK FOR FREE ONCE THEY GET VERIFIED AS RESIDENCE.

AND THAT'S AN IMPROVEMENT TO HOW THE PROGRAM FIRST STARTED.

>> Reporter: HERE IS THE BREAKDOWN OF WHO GETS TO PARK WHERE AND FOR HOW MUCH.

IN THE LEVEL 1 PREMIUM LOTS RESIDENTS CAN PAY EIGHT DOLLARS FOR THE DAY OR FIVE DOLLARS FOR FOUR HOURS.

FOR RESIDENTS AND NONRESIDENTS THOSE ARE 16 88 OR $10 FOR FOUR HOURS.

IN THE LEVEL TWO LOT RESIDENTS CAN PARK FOR FREE, NONRESIDENTS WILL HAVE TO FORK OVER $10 FOR A DAY.

AND IN THE LEVEL 3 LOT IT'S ALSO FREE FOR RESIDENTS, 10 BUCKS A DAY FOR NONRESIDENTS AND THE FIRST THREE HOURS ARE FREE.

THE CITY HAS ALREADY TAKEN IN $1 MILLION SINCE FIRST STARTING TO CHARGE FOR PARKING.

AND HE SAYS THE MONEY GENERATED FROM THESE KIOSKS IS BADLY NEEDED TO KEEP THE PARK IN GOOD SHAPE AIRED >> THERE IS A COST TO MAINTAIN AND DO REPAIRS, IT'S AN OLD PARK, OLD BUILDINGS, A LOT OF BEAUTIFUL TREES.

WE ARE HOPING THIS WILL HELP US GENERATE SOME FUNDS.

OF COURSE, ALL THE FUNDS THAT ARE GENERATED STAY WITHIN THE PARK.

>> Reporter: THERE HAS BEEN PUSHBACK FROM THE PUBLIC SINCE THE PARKING FEES WOULD INTO EFFECT.

AND THAT PUSHBACK HAS BEEN FIERCE FROM MUSEUM LEADERS.

I ASKED AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM CHIEF ABOUT THE NEWLY MODERATED PARKING FEES.

>> IS THAT GOOD ENOUGH?

>> NOPE.

>> WHY?

>> THERE SHOULDN'T BE ANY PAID PARKING IN BALBOA PARK AT ALL.

THE CHANGES THAT ARE STARTING TODAY, THEY DON'T GO FAR ENOUGH.

>> Reporter: SAME MESSAGE FROM MICHAEL WARBURTON WHO HEADS UP THE MODEL MILL ROAD-- RAILROAD MUSEUM.

>> NOT ONLY IS IT LIMITING THE OPPORTUNITY OF RESIDENTS TO PARK FOR FREE HAVE A TON OF PEOPLE WHO VISIT FROM THE COUNTY BUT IT'S ALSO NOT AS EASY AS PEOPLE THINK IF YOU TRY TO REGISTER AS A CITY RESIDENT.

>> Reporter: THE CITY IS AWARE OF THAT AND THEY ARE MAKING PEOPLE AVAILABLE TO HELP.

>> WE DO HAVE DIGITAL NAVIGATORS, THEY ARE ACCESSIBLE AT THE LIBRARIES OR THEY CAN GIVE US A CALL AND WE WILL HEALTH-- HAVE SOMEBODY HELP YOU PROCESS YOUR APPLICATION ONLINE.

>> Reporter: CITY STAFF ARE POSTED AT VARIOUS KIOSKS TO OFFER IN PERSON HELP.

BUT WARBURTON SAYS NONE OF IT IS GOOD ENOUGH.

HE SAYS HE HAS BEEN TRACKING VISITOR NUMBERS SINCE THE FEES WENT INTO EFFECT AND HE SAYS THOSE NUMBERS ARE DOWN.

>> YESTERDAY, SUNDAY, I WAS DOWN 39% COMPARED TO LAST YEAR SAME SUNDAY.

AND OVERALL SINCE THIS PARKING THING HAS BEEN IN EFFECT I AM DOWN 29% IN ATTENDANCE.

>> Reporter: BACK OVER HERE AT THE AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM AND JIM SAYS THE PARKING SITUATION IS IT STANDS NOW IS NOTHING SHORT OF AN EXISTENTIAL THREAT TO CERTAIN MUSEUMS AND CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS IN THE PARK.

>> THERE ARE SOME HERE THAT OPERATE.

IT'S UNFORTUNATE BUT IT'S THE WAY IT IS.

SAD AND WHY DO YOU DO THAT?

WHY WOULD YOU AS A CITY RISK ANYONE IN THIS PARK?

>> Reporter: A QUESTION THE CITY IS SURE TO BE ASKED BY LEADERS IN BALBOA PARK AS THE NEXT PHASE OF THE FIGHT OVER CHARGING FOR PARKING IN THE PARK GETS UNDERWAY.

JOHN CARROLL, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THIS MONTH MARKS THE 95th ANNIVERSARY OF ONE OF AMERICA'S FIRST SUCCESSFUL DESEGREGATION CASES.

KPBS COUNTY REPORTER LENA SAYS GENERATIONS LATER, COMMUNITY LEADERS IN LEMON GROVE ARE LEADING EFFORTS TO PRESERVE THE HISTORY AND LESSONS OF THE ORGANIZED MOVEMENT.

>> Reporter: IN 1930, ROBERTA ALVAREZ WAS ATTENDING THE LEMON GROVE GRAMMAR SCHOOL BUT WHEN HE AND OTHER MEXICAN AMERICAN STUDENTS CAME BACK FROM CHRISTMAS BREAK IN JANUARY 1931, THE PRINCIPAL WAS STANDING AT THE DOOR OF THE SCHOOL.

HE TOLD THEM THAT FROM THEN ON THEY WOULD BE ATTENDING CLASSES IN A SEPARATE BUILDING.

THE PARENTS ORGANIZED AND THE STUDENTS REFUSED TO GO TO CLASS.

THEY TOOK THE SCHOOL DISTRICT TO COURT AND ALVAREZ WAS THE LEAD PLAINTIFF.

HERE IS HIS SON ROBERTO ALVAREZ JUNIOR.

>> IT'S NOT ABOUT MY FAMILY.

IT'S ABOUT THE COMMUNITY.

ALL THOSE PEOPLE THAT GOT TOGETHER.

THEY STOOD UP TO DO WHAT WAS RIGHT IN A TIME THAT WAS VERY DIFFICULT.

>> Reporter: THE CASE WAS ARGUED IN SAN DIEGO SUPERIOR COURT.

>> THERE WERE OTHER FOLKS THAT TESTIFIED AS WELL.

>> Reporter: THE JUDGE RULED IN FAVOR OF THE STUDENTS AND REINTEGRATED THE SCHOOL.

THIS WAS TWO DECADES BEFORE THE LANDMARK SUPREME COURT CASE BROWN VERSUS THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

IT WAS AMONG SEVERAL CASES THAT PLAYED A ROLE IN AROUND THE BOARD.

THE LEMON GROVE CITY COUNCIL DECLARED MARCH LEMON GROVE INCIDENT MONTH.

ALVAREZ JUNIOR SAYS THE HISTORY OF DISCRIMINATION IN CALIFORNIA IS AN IMPORTANT LESSON ESPECIALLY TODAY.

AS PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP WAGES IS MASS DEPORTATION CAMPAIGN.

>> IN SOME WAYS IT'S VERY DIFFICULT BECAUSE ALL THE WORK THAT THEY DID BACK IN 1930 31, AND ALL OF THE SUCCESS THAT THE COUNTRY HAD.

WE THOUGHT WE HAD, YOU KNOW, WON A BATTLE.

AND I THINK WE DID.

BUT IT'S COMING BACK TO HAUNT US AGAIN.

>> Reporter: AND STAPLETON IS A PASTOR AT LEMON GROVE COMMUNITY CHURCH.

SHE HELPS PRESERVE THE MURAL AT THE NEIGHBORHOOD EVENT CENTER.

>> THIS INCIDENT IS JUST ONE MORE DEMARCATION THAT SPECIFICALLY WE NEED TO ALL GATHER TOGETHER AND PROTECT OUR NEIGHBORS AND STAND UP WITH OUR NEIGHBORS AND DO WHAT'S RIGHT SO THAT WE HAVE EQUAL ACCESS AND VOICES WHEN THEY DON'T HAVE A VOICE.

AND STAND UP AGAINST RACISM AND INJUSTICE.

>> Reporter: THERE WILL BE SEVERAL EVENTS CELEBRATING THE ANNIVERSARY.

THIS SATURDAY THE NEIGHBORHOOD WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

THEY WILL SHOW DOCUMENTARIES ON THE INCIDENT AND OFFER TOURS.

A LARGER CELEBRATION IS PLANNED FOR THE END OF THE MONTH.

ELAINE ALFARO, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE SAN DIEGO DISTRICT ATTORNEY ANNOUNCED A SUCCESSFUL PROSECUTION AGAINST A LOCAL GANG.

KPBS REPORTER JW AUGUST SAYS IT WAS THE RESULT OF AN UNUSUAL PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: COMING OUT OF THE PANDEMIC IN 2022, THE BRIDGE CHURCH IN SAN DIEGO MOUNTAIN VIEW NEIGHBORHOOD FOUND ITSELF IN THE MIDDLE OF A WAR ZONE.

>> A LOT OF ACTIVITY HAPPENING RIGHT IN FRONT OF OUR EYES.

THE COMMUNITY KNEW IT.

>> Reporter: PASTOR STEVE MAREN SAYS GUN SALES AND PROSECUTION WERE HAPPENING EVERY DAY.

IT WAS A FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE FOR THE BRIDGE CONGREGATION.

THEY PRAYED FOR A MIRACLE.

THERE WERE PRAYERS FOCUSED ON MIKE'S MARKET WHICH IS ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE CHURCH AT THE CORNER OF 37th AND OCEANVIEW.

IT HAD BEEN CONTROLLED BY 59 BRIMS GANG FOR YEARS.

>> THEY LITERALLY TERRORIZED OUR COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: WORSHIPERS EXPERIENCED IT FIRSTHAND.

>> WE HAVE A PRAYER CIRCLE AND RUNNING UP THE STREET HERE RIGHT NEXT TO ME ON 37th SHOOTING AT EACH OTHER 22 PISTOLS.

>> Reporter: ANOTHER TIME, HIS WIFE LISA WAS CLEANING UP THE PLAY AREA IN THE BRIDGE WHEN SHE HEARD SHOOTING.

>> PEOPLE SCREAMING AND THEN I LOOKED OUT THE WINDOW AND SAW A BUNCH OF PEOPLE RUNNING AND I JUST KIND OF DUCKED BECAUSE I WASN'T SURE WHAT WAS HAPPENING.

>> ACROSS THE STREET, A BODY LAY IN MIKE'S MARKET PARKING LOT.

A 26-YEAR-OLD GANG MEMBER GUNNED DOWN BY THE WEST COAST CRIPS.

THEY SWORN ENEMY.

>> IT'S NOT SOMETHING FUN TO SEE.

>> Reporter: ANOTHER GANG MEMBER DIED IN FRONT OF THE MARKET, ANOTHER A HALF BLOCK AWAY.

IN THE TWO YEARS PRIOR TO THIS, SAN DIEGO POLICE HAVE RESPONDED TO MORE THAN 1000 CALLS WITHIN 500 FEET OF THE MARKET.

THINGS SEEMED OUT OF CONTROL.

>> THIS IS NOT OKAY.

WE ARE GOING TO PRAY AGAINST VIOLENCE, PRAY AGAINST CHAOS.

>> Reporter: THE BUSINESS NEVER SLOWED AT MIKE'S MARKET.

DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY LED THE OPERATION.

>> MIKE'S MARKET HAS BEEN KNOWN TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AND DISTRICT ATTORNEY AS A HOTBED OF GANG ACTIVITY GOING BACK DECADES.

>> Reporter: MOUNTAIN VIEW EXPERIENCED WHAT DISTRICT ATTORNEY DESCRIBES AS PIECEMEAL POLICING.

>> THE WAY LAW ENFORCEMENT GENERALLY WORKS IS YOU HAVE A CALL FOR SERVICE AND POLICE RESPOND.

>> Reporter: THIS APPROACH RESULTED IN ARRESTS.

BUT IT DIDN'T FIX THE UNDERLYING PROBLEM.

>> THE SAME PEOPLE ARE GOING TO JUST COME OUT OF JAIL AND START OVER.

MANY OF THE PEOPLE BE CONVICTED HAD PRIOR RECORDS.

>> Reporter: ALSO, IF THE POLICE ONLY SHOW UP WHEN THERE IS TROUBLE THEY DON'T MAKE MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS WITH RESIDENTS.

HISTORICALLY, THIS HAS BEEN THE CASE IN MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES.

HENRY WALLACE IS SEEING HOW POLICE INTERACT WITH COMMUNITIES OF COLOR IN SAN DIEGO.

FOR MORE THAN HALF A CENTURY.

>> THEY HAVE STEREOTYPED IDEAS ABOUT HOW THEY SHOULD TREAT BLACK PEOPLE.

AS WELL AS HISPANICS.

>> Reporter: AS A MEMBER OF THE SAN DIEGO BLACK PANTHER PARTY SINCE 1967 THE WALLACE HAS SEEN POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS IMPROVE BUT CAUTIONS THERE REMAINS RESIDUAL MISTRUST.

STEFAN SAYS SHE UNDERSTANDS THAT.

>> COMMUNITY TRUST IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR EFFECTIVE STRATEGIC LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PUBLIC SAFETY AND PROSECUTION.

>> Reporter: A KEY CONNECTION BETWEEN PASTOR AND OMAR.

THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFFICER FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

IT BEGAN WITH A MEETING AT THE BRIDGE CHURCH.

>> HE TOOK ME TO HIS BALCONY AND WE FACED MIKE'S MARKET.

THERE WAS CASINGS OF BULLETS, ROUNDS OF BULLETS.

THERE IS A CASING RIGHT THERE.

>> Reporter: IT SOON BECAME CLEAR THAT THIS CASE REQUIRED A DIFFERENT APPROACH.

BUT IT DIDN'T HAPPEN RIGHT AWAY.

IT TOOK TIME TO BUILD MOMENTUM.

>> THEY BEGAN TO BRING MORE PEOPLE ON BOARD.

>> Reporter: ULTIMATELY THE D.A.

OFFICE AND FORMED A SPECIAL UNIT OF GANG EXPERTS AND OPERATION MIC DROPS WAS FORMED.

JW AUGUST, KPBS NEWS.

>> YOU CAN WATCH PART TWO OF THIS STORY ON KPBS.ORG OR YOUTUBE AT KPBS.

SUBSCRIBE AND GET NOTIFIED WHEN NEW VIDEOS ARE POSTED.

YOUTUBE IS ALSO WHERE WE LIVE STREAM KPBS EVENING EDITION WEEKNIGHTS AT 5:00.

>>> THE 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP KICKS OFF ACROSS THE U.S., MEXICO AND CANADA.

A NEW SOCCER PARK IS OPEN IN SAN DIEGO WHERE PEOPLE CAN PLAY FOR FREE.

JACOB AIR SAYS THE ORGANIZATION BEHIND THE PARK WANTS TO MAKE THE BEAUTIFUL GAME MORE ACCESSIBLE FOR PEOPLE ACROSS THE REGION.

>> Reporter: YOUNG PLAYERS RUN ACROSS TURF SOCCER FIELDS ON A WARM WINTER DAY.

WALLS AND NETTING KEEP THE PLAYERS AND SOCCER BALLS INSIDE THE COURT.

THIS IS THE NEW SCRIPT STREET SOCCER PARK AT HORACE MANN MIDDLE SCHOOL.

IT'S ALREADY VERY POPULAR.

>> I SEE MORE OF THEM COME HERE AND PLAY WITH THEIR FRIENDS.

>> Reporter: AN EIGHTH GRADER AT HORACE MANN.

HE HAS BEEN USING THE NEW PARK FOUR HOURS EVERY WEEKDAY.

>> JUST A CLOSE PLACE WE CAN ALL GATHER TOGETHER WITHOUT HAVING TO WORRY ABOUT WHOSE PARENTS WILL NOT LET THEM GO BECAUSE IT'S FAR.

MOST OF US LIVE CLOSE NEAR THIS AREA SO IT'S EASY FOR US TO PLAY HERE.

>> HE IS GETTING A CHANCE TO HONE HIS SKILLS IN A SPORT THAT IS POST FINANCIAL BARRIERS.

YOUTH SOCCER CAN HALF COST HUNDREDS AND EVEN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS EVERY YEAR.

>> MOST OF THE REASON I HAVEN'T JOINED A CLUB IS BECAUSE OF THE MANY COSTS AND ALL THAT TRAVEL.

>> Reporter: THE NEW PARK IS RUN BY STREET SOCCER USA.

ITS GOAL IS TO PROVIDE AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE PAY TO PLAY MODEL FOR YOUTH SOCCER ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE LIVING AT OR BELOW THE POVERTY LINE.

>> THIS IS THE FIRST ONE IN SAN DIEGO.

THEY ARE FREE, THEY ARE OPEN TO THE COMMUNITY AND THEY ALLOW US AND OUR PARTNERS TO RUN FREE PROGRAMS.

>> Reporter: READ FOX IS THE DIRECTOR OF THE SAN DIEGO CHAPTER.

HE SAYS STREET SOCCER IS TRYING TO CAPTURE THE MOMENTUM OF THE UPCOMING WORLD CUP.

>> THIS IS PART OF THE 26 FOR 26 CAMPAIGN WHICH IS BUILDING 26 OF THESE STREET SOCCER PARKS AROUND THE COUNTRY IN TIME FOR THE 2026 WORLD CUP.

>> Reporter: THE PARK IS AVAILABLE TO HORACE MANN MIDDLE SCHOOL DURING THE SCHOOL DAY.

AFTER SCHOOL AND ON THE WEEKENDS IT IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

ONE TO 200 COMMUNITY MEMBERS USE THE FACILITIES EACH DAY.

>> THERE IS PROGRAMS FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL, HIGH SCHOOL, GIRLS SPECIFIC PROGRAMMING, WOMEN PICKUPS, ADULT COED PICKUPS, WE STARTED A FREE PROGRAM FOR MILITARY MEMBERS AND VETERANS.

>> Reporter: HALEY GUTIERREZ USES THE FIELDS REGULARLY.

>> MY FATHER HAS BEEN PLAYING SOCCER MY WHOLE LIFE.

AND WHEN HE WASN'T ABLE TO PLAY SOCCER HE WOULD JUST COACH.

HE BECAME MY COACH WHEN I WAS SIX.

AND FROM THERE I JUST HAD A GREAT PASSION FROM SOCCER.

>> SHE PLAYS SOCCER FOR CRAWFORD HIGH SCHOOL ACROSS THE STREET.

DURING THE OBSCENE OFF-SEASON GUTIERREZ SAID SHE WOULD BE BORED BECAUSE SHE HAD NO FIELD.

>> WANTS THIS OPENED UP EVERY DAY GOT FULL AND I'M SO EXCITED FOR IT.

WHEN I HAVE A LOT OF ENERGY I JUST BRING IT OUT HERE.

WHEN I FEEL ANY EMOTION LIKE ANGER OR STRESS I JUST COME HERE TO SHAKE MY MIND OFF IT.

>> Reporter: SHE PLAYS SOCCER A LITTLE DIFFERENTLY.

THERE, SHE PLAYS 11 PLAYERS ASIDE.

>> PRETTY MUCH MEANS YOU HAVE FOUR TO FIVE PLAYERS ON A TEAM.

>> Reporter: THAT IS NOT THE ONLY STYLE DIFFERENCE IN THIS PLAY.

LAYERS CAN ALSO BOUNCE THE SOCCER BALL OFF THE WALLS.

AND SHE SAYS IF ONE TEAM TAKES THE BALL OUT OF PLAY THE OPPOSITE TEAM RESTARTS BY SETTING AND KICKING IT ON THE GROUND.

TRADITIONALLY PLAYED ON A HARD SURFACE AND AN ASPHALT COURSE IS IN WORKS FOR THE COURT.

HER JOB GOES BEYOND TEACHING PLAYERS THE RULES.

SHE SAYS THEY OFFER ONE-ON-ONE TRAINING SESSIONS AND MUCH MORE.

>> WE MAKE SURE TO TALK TO THEM, BUT MOSTLY WE RUN SOME PRACTICES SOMETIMES.

>> Reporter: THEY POST A NEW SCHEDULE FOR THE DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS USING THE PARK EVERY WEEK ON THEIR INSTAGRAM.

>> IF THERE IS NOT A TIME SLOT FOR CERTAIN GROUPS THERE IS OPEN PLAY.

>> A SPACE LIKE THIS HASN'T EXISTED IN THE REGION BEFORE.

THE PARK GETS FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM THE ALEX MORGAN FOUNDATIONS.

FOX SAYS HE HOPES THIS IS THE FIRST OF MANY STREET SOCCER PARKS THEY BUILD AROUND SAN DIEGO.

CURRENTLY THEY ARE LOOKING TO BUILD A SECOND SITE.

>> I THINK THERE IS NO BETTER CITY IN THE COUNTRY THAN STREET SOCCER BECAUSE OF THE PASSION FOR SOCCER HERE.

AND ALSO THE INEQUITY IN SOCCER HERE.

AND THE LACK OF SPACES LIKE THIS AND FREE PROGRAMMING.

>> Reporter: THE PARK ALSO HAS A CLUBHOUSE AND FOX SAYS WILL OFFER EDUCATIONAL SERVICES IN THE COMING MONTHS.

HELP WITH SCHOOLWORK AND COLLEGE APPLICATIONS AND JOB SERVICES WITH THE HELP OF LOCAL PARTNERS.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> JACOB HAS SPENT A LOT OF TIME COVERING SOCCER IN OUR BORDER REGION AND THE CULTURE SURROUNDING IT.

CHECK OUT HIS VIDEO SERIES ON THE KPBS YOUTUBE PAGE OR YOU CAN GO TO KPBS.ORG.

>>> RECENT PARKING FEE CHANGES AT BALBOA PARK HAVE PROMPTED MORE SAN DIEGANS TO THINK ABOUT ACCESSIBILITY AND ABOUT WHO CULTURE BELONGS TO.

KPBS ARTS REPORTER JULIA DIXON EVANS SHOWS US HOW ONE BALBOA PARK ORGANIZATION WITHOUT PUBLIC SITTING HOURS HAS BEEN EXPANDING WHAT IS CONSIDERED ART AND WHO IT SERVES.

>> I LIKE TO THINK OF US AS A HOSPITAL FOR ARTWORK.

>> Reporter: LAKISHA GOMEZ IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE PALPABLE ART CONSERVATION CENTER.

THE NONPROFIT THAT HELPS MUSEUMS AND THE PUBLIC TREAT, PROTECT AND CARE FOR PAINTINGS, PAPER, SCULPTURES AND ARTIFACTS.

>> WHEN SOMETHING GETS DAMAGED, WHEN SOMETHING GETS BROKEN, TORN, IT COMES TO A PLACE LIKE THIS.

>> Reporter: AND DETECTIVES SOLVING MYSTERIES USING FORENSIC TOOLS LIKE IMAGING AND CHEMICAL TESTING.

ALEXIS MILLER DEMONSTRATES A DEVICE OR HANDHELD X-RAY ANALYZER.

IT LOOKS LIKE SOMETHING OUT OF STAR TREK.

HOLD IT UP TO A PAINTING AND IT GIVES THE ELEMENTAL COMPOSITION OF WHAT THE PAINTING IS.

IF IT HAS MERCURY WE KNOW THAT IT'S VERMILION.

IT CAN ALSO BE USED FOR PESTICIDE RESIDUES ON COMMUNITY OBJECTS.

>> Reporter: TRADITIONAL X-RAY TECHNOLOGY WAS EXPENSIVE.

ONLY AVAILABLE TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER.

AFTER FUNDRAISING FOR DIGITAL TOOLS THE CENTER CAN DO MORE FOR MORE PEOPLE.

>> THESE TOOLS CAN BE USED IN THE PROCESS.

>> Reporter: WHEN MUSEUMS RETURN OBJECTS LIKE BASKETS OR TEXTILES TO INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES THOSE OBJECTS ARE SOMETIMES TREATED WITH PESTICIDES OR ARSENIC WHILE IN STORAGE.

X RF CAN DETECT THAT.

>> IT'S HANDY.

AND IT ISN'T UNTIL WE HAVE THE LUXURY OF ACCESS THAT WE CAN ACTUALLY BEGIN TO THINK OF HOW WE CAN BEGIN TO REPURPOSE THESE TOOLS AND SPACES FOR A BROADER USE.

>> Reporter: ACCESS IN ART IS SOMETHING GOMEZ FRANCO SPENDS A LOT OF TIME THINKING ABOUT.

>> YOU CAN LITERALLY GO DOWN A LIST AND THINK ABOUT THE REDUCTION OF BARRIERS THAT PREVENT ACCESS.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS THOSE BARRIERS INCLUDE TRANSPORTATION, LANGUAGE AND PHYSICAL ACCESSIBILITY.

BUT SHE ALSO WANTS MORE ARTS GROUPS TO CONSIDER BELONGING.

>> WE CAN DO ALL OF THOSE THINGS.

YOU CAN HAVE A FREE PARK WITH FREE PARKING, WITH FREE EVERYTHING AND STILL PEOPLE NOT FEEL LIKE THEY ARE WELCOME.

>> Reporter: 45 YEARS GOMEZ FRANCO HAS LED THE ORGANIZATION THE CENTER HAS REDUCED ITS RELIANCE ON EARNED REVENUE SUCH AS CLIENT TREATMENT SERVICES.

FOR AN ARTS NONPROFIT WITHOUT VISITING HOURS OR AN OPEN DOOR THINKING ABOUT ACCESS MEANS THINKING ABOUT OUTSIDE THE BOX.

>> ONLY AVAILABLE TO THE PLAIN CUSTOMER-- PAYING CUSTOMER AND THAT IS NOT HOW A NONPROFIT SHOULD BEHAVE.

IT WASN'T UNTIL THE TEAM REALLY GOT TO THINK ABOUT WHAT IS OUR PURPOSE, WHAT ARE WE DOING THAT IS DIFFERENT, WHAT IS OUR CONTRIBUTION TO THE PUBLIC GOOD.

AND REALLY THINKING ABOUT HAVING TO TURN AWAY CULTURAL MATERIALS THAT WERE DAMAGED BECAUSE COMMUNITIES DIDN'T HAVE THE FUNDS TO A FOR THEM.

>> RESTORING GRAFFITI, HEIRLOOM QUILTS OR SAVING PHOTOS FROM FLOOD DAMAGE THE CENTER IS WORKING TO HELP MORE PEOPLE CARE FOR THEIR OWN OBJECTS.

AND SEE THEMSELVES IN ART.

>> Reporter: WE STARTED PILOTING PROGRAMS THAT WERE ABOUT HAVING CONVERSATIONS WITH THE COMMUNITY ABOUT WHAT CONSERVATION LOOKS LIKE.

WE ARE TRYING TO DEMOCRATIZE AND DEMYSTIFY THE WORK THAT WE DO HERE SO THAT EVERYBODY CAN BE PART OF IT.

>> Reporter: JULIA DIXON EVANS, KPBS NEWS.

>> Reporter: JULIA IS ALSO THE HOST OF THE ARTS PODCAST THE FINEST, A NEW EPISODE IS OUT RIGHT NOW.

IT DIGS INTO THE RECORD BINS AT FOLK ARTS RECORDS TO UNBOXED HIDDEN MUSIC HISTORY ABOUT SAN DIEGO.

KPBS.ORG/THE FINEST OR WHEREVER YOU GET YOUR PODCASTS.

>>> AFTER YEARS OF CONSTRUCTION THE SAN DIEGO ZOO SAFARI PARK UNVEILED AN ELEPHANT HEARD NEW HOME.

ENVIRONMENT REPORTER SAYS YOU CAN GET CLOSE ENOUGH TO SEE THEIR EYELASHES.

>> Reporter: BEFORE SPOTTING THE ELEPHANTS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE AT THE NEW ELEPHANT VALLEY IS A LONG MEANDERING WALKWAY.

IT IS MARKED ALL OVER BY THE ELEPHANT MASSIVE FOOTPRINTS AND ARCHWAY FEATURING THE ELEPHANT HANDIWORK.

>> TREES THE ELEPHANT KNOCKED OVER TO CREATE SPACE FOR SMALLER SPECIES TO THRIVE.

>> Reporter: PATRICK IS WITH THE SAFARI PARK.

HE SAYS THESE FEATURES WERE INTENTIONAL.

THEY TELL THE STORY OF THE ELEPHANT, AND INTELLIGENT FAMILY FOCUSED ANIMAL AND NATURE'S ENGINEER TO HELP US BETTER UNDERSTAND AND APPRECIATE THESE GENTLE GIANTS.

YOU NEED TO SLOW DOWN AND LOOK AT THE DETAILS.

>> YOU CAN SEE HER EYELASHES.

YOU CAN SEE THE WRINKLES ON HIS SKIN.

>> Reporter: THE VALLEY LETS PEOPLE WALK ALONGSIDE THE ELEPHANTS IN SOME AREAS.

YOU CAN SEE THEM PASSING BELOW A BRIDGE AND OPEN AIR RESTAURANTS.

KRISTI IS ALSO WITH THE SAFARI PARK.

SHE SAYS PLANS TO REIMAGINE NEW HOME DATE BACK TO 28 2018.

>> THE WAY THAT ELEPHANT VALLEY WAS CREATED WAS TO REALLY STIMULATE MOVEMENT WITHIN THE HABITATS.

>> Reporter: THEY HAVE THE SPACE TO ROAM, BATHE AND SLEEP AND FEEDERS RELEASE FOOD RANDOMLY.

IT CREATES UNPREDICTABILITY LIKE IN THE WILD.

>> WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO FIND FOOD AND WATER SO IT'S NOT JUST ALWAYS PUT IN FRONT OF THEM.

>> Reporter: AS HIGHLY SOCIAL BEINGS THIS SETUP PROVIDES THE HERD WITH MORE OPPORTUNITY TO GROW STRONGER AS A UNIT.

>> THERE IS NO EXTRA CHARGE TO ENTER ELEPHANT VALLEY.

THAT IS INCLUDED IN YOUR ADMISSION TICKET.

FROM THE SAN DIEGO SAFARI PARK, KPBS NEWS.

>>> WE HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS LOOK AT KPBS NEWS THIS WEEK.

I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

THINK FOR JOINING US.