City of Poway to Hold Groundbreaking Ceremony for Tony Gwynn Memorial Statue

The 10-foot-tall bronze statue will overlook the baseball diamond at Lake Poway Park.

The City of Poway will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for its Tony Gwynn memorial statue on the baseball field at Lake Poway Park next month.

The statue depicts Gwynn, dubbed "Mr.Padre" in his Padres uniform, waving to the crowd with his cap in hand while holding a child on his hip. It will look over the baseball field at Lake Poway Park.

There were no taxpayer money used to fund the project despite a recent settlement made by a city manager that caused some confusion.

A benefit concert was held in early April to raise money for the tribute, and a Crowd Rise page was set up that, as of June 27, has received over $140,000 in donations.

People packed the Poway Center for the Performing Arts Friday night to listen to music and celebrate Mr. Padre. NBC 7’s Omari Fleming reports.

A donor wall will accompany the statue, recognizing donations of at least $250.

The statue isn’t the first, and likely won’t be the last public gift honoring Mr. Padre. In October 2015, a 4.5 mile stretch of the Interstate 15 freeway from Scripps Poway Parkway to Camino Del Norte was dedicated to him.

The outpouring of affection on social media on what would have been his 56th birthday is a perfect example of the legacy left by one of San Diego’s most beloved men.

“The world knew him as a legendary ballplayer,” said Poway Mayor Steve Vaus, “but we knew him as friend, neighbor, family man and community contributor. He was Poway’s hometown hero.”

The ceremoney will be held on July 11 at 10:30 a.m. at Lake Poway Park.

Contact Us