SAN MARCOS — The Friends of the Palomar College Arboretum had a lot to celebrate at their special meeting in the park Aug. 13. The centerpiece of the event was the relocation of the James Hubbell Structure, an artistic fixture at the college for decades, to its new home in the five-acre park and nature reserve.

Hubbell’s work has always been a bit of an oddity. Sited for 30 years near the library, and looking for all the world like a ruined brick classical temple, the circular structure was not often used for its intended purpose. Hubbell and a class of his students originally made the unique piece for the A Kairos Institute in Del Mar to perform theatrical productions on nearly 40 years ago. It was moved to Palomar in 1971 where it was occasionally used as a wedding site.

When the college made plans for a new science building, things looked dire for the unusual piece of art because it lay in the way of construction. Then founding Friend Edna Pulver stepped forward and donated the better part of $100,000 to facilitate its move to the Arboretum.

“We’re hoping this is the final resting spot,” Arboretum groundskeeper Rick Kratcoski said.

In its new location, Hubbell and his fellow Friends believe his stage, which has been enlarged since the move, will be more visible and used more often.

“It’s more like a Greek stage, where you have a choir on the steps and the back where you could move through,” Hubbell said. “It’s not like a box stage. We’re hoping that’s what it’ll be used for.”

He added that he would like to see an annual contest where people would write plays for the unique setting.

Ninety-seven-year-old Pulver was one of the chief guests of honor at the event. She has been a fixture of the Aboretum for 25 years, starting her involvement by hand planting trees and flowers. Pulver not only financed the move of the Hubbell stage, she also was responsible for the steps leading to the park and for getting more than 20 benches put in by Boy Scouts.

“If you stay around long enough, they’ll tell you I built everything!” Pulver said with a smile.

Hubbell was more solemn about Pulver’s accomplishments.

“I think what Edna’s kind of done is kick off a new period, not only in the Arboretum, but possibly in Palomar, where nature is taken care of and celebrated,” Hubbell said. “So I think Edna’s done more than she actually thinks she’s done.”

Pulver has left a legacy for generations of Palomar students. The popular park is used by botanists, nature hikers, photography and art students and as a destination for K-12 field trips.

“It’s a great learning institution for so many kids, not only just Palomar,” San Marcos Unified School District Board President Mary Borevitz said.

It’s anyone’s guess whether the wheelchair-bound Pulver has any plans to slow down in her support for the Arboretum.

“What Edna’s saying is now that she’s a little older, she’d like someone to take over for her,” Kratcoski said to the assembled Friends with a smile. “She thinks she’s done her job, right?” he asked Pulver who smiled, but did not reply.