California's Attorney General and more than 200 community groups and leaders are asking the Department of Homeland Security to reopen Friendship Park along the U.S.-Mexico border. Federal officials closed the park to build more border fencing.
Friendship Park is perched above the beach along the U.S. Mexico border. Just to the west, the border fence dips into the sea.
For decades, people in San Diego and Tijuana have met at the park to visit through the border fence.
California's Attorney General, a dozen elected officials from San Diego and more than 100 others are asking federal officials to restore access.
John Fanestil is helping lead the effort.
"Just as with any other public park, people should be able to look out their window at the beginning of the day, see the sun is shining and say this would be a nice day to go to the park."
Fanestil says they should be able to go to the park.
Border Patrol officials have said having a space where people can smuggle things, like documents or drugs, though the fence threatens national security.
However, San Diego's Border Patrol Chief says they are considering some options for public access.
