Freedom Park Progress on Pace

With a new year comes the opportunity to look ahead with renewed focus, energy, strategic oversight and community partnership as we work together to ensure steady progress toward a shared vision. At Freedom Park at Burnham Navy Pier, that momentum is already well underway.

Significant progress continues across the Freedom Park site. Construction along Navy Pier is advancing steadily, with work focused on critical utility upgrades and pier stabilization—essential improvements that ensure long-term structural integrity and reliable utilities to support Freedom Park and its future features.

If you have visited the USS Midway Museum recently, you will have noticed increased activity along the pier. The removal of Building 11, the old naval supply corps’ headhouse, exposed the last area of the pier that had not yet been reinforced. Our engineering team and contractors are now preparing this section for stabilization. The current phase includes specialized jet grouting, a process needed to strengthen the pier’s subsurface materials. Jet grouting is a ground improvement method that uses high-velocity jets of fluid to erode soil, mixing it with cement grout to form strong, impermeable “soilcrete” columns that provide critical structural support and groundwater control.

As jet grouting progresses, other work continues under the pier, including the replacement of waterlines along the north, south and west edges. These upgrades support both current museum operations and future park amenities. Together, these improvements ensure the park will be safe, resilient and sustainable, and ready to welcome more than one million visitors annually when Freedom Park opens. All work has been carefully planned to minimize disruption to the public and museum operations, reflecting a strong commitment to coordination, environmental stewardship and operational excellence.

Parallel to construction, meaningful progress continues on the Barbara Cox Promenade family sculptures and the John Finn monument. Following a competitive selection process, J. Brett Grill of JBG Sculpture was awarded the commission. His studio brings a proven record of translating vision into lasting tribute, ensuring consistency, quality and artistic integrity. The design phase is now underway with casting and fabrication thoughtfully coordinated alongside park construction.

As these efforts advance, Midway and its partners are establishing both the physical and symbolic foundations of Freedom Park—a place that honors legacy, fosters connection and reflects San Diego’s military history within a broader national and international story.

In my role, I am focused on sustaining this momentum through strategic donor engagement, thoughtful campaign planning and close coordination with engineering and project partners. This integrated approach ensures alignment across disciplines while honoring the generosity of supporters whose philanthropy makes this progress possible.

Freedom Park is a truly collaborative endeavor, made possible through the generosity of individuals, families, foundations and community partners who believe in its mission. Philanthropic support, including gifts of cash, securities, qualified charitable distributions and other planned and legacy gifts, allows supporters at every level to take part in shaping a legacy of honor and inspiration that will ripple across generations.

Looking ahead, continued pier stabilization and utility improvements—combined with strong philanthropic partnership—position Freedom Park at Burnham Navy Pier for lasting impact. Every element, from construction and interpretive programming to security and long-term maintenance, is being carefully considered to meet the Midway’s standards and create an enduring visitor experience.

Freedom Park is envisioned as a lasting civic and cultural space that honors service, welcomes reflection and inspires connection for veterans, families and visitors alike. Through continued collaboration, stewardship and philanthropic leadership, it will remain a meaningful tribute for generations to come.