What else other than bagpipes and stretching says Monterey history?

Sandwiched between the end of Pacific Street and the Lighthouse Avenue curve at Private Bolio Gate in Monterey lies a 25-acre treasure.

Ever since 9/11 the Army has required military IDs to gain access to the upper Presidio, for security reasons. Unknown to many, however, this Lower Presidio Park has always been – and still is – open to the general public.

In addition to boasting one of the most spectacular downtown views of the bay, the park also bears a unique historical pedigree as the only sea-to-land battle site on the entire West Coast: In 1818, cannonballs flew when an Argentinian privateer ship, anchored by what is now the Coast Guard pier and captained by Hipólito Bouchard, attacked El Castillo (The Presidio), engaging a Spanish battalion housed where the park is now.

In 1996, the city of Monterey, the Army and the Old Monterey Foundation forged a unique public/private partnership to support building out the site into a public park.

An event this weekend, promoted by the foundation, showcases the location.

“The Lower Presidio Park is our main project,” says Foundation secretary Bill McCrone. “We seek to raise public awareness that the park is functioning and open to everyone, and we want to tell people of our efforts to improve the site into a full-fledged park with signage, benches, pathways, interpretive signs and monuments by the end of 2016.”

The event features an introduction to pilates, two 30-minute pilates sessions, three bagpipe performances by award-winning Pipe Major Michel d’Avenas (also heard locally piping at sunset on the patio outside the bar at Spanish Bay in Pebble Beach), with Asian-fusion grub for sale from the food truck Fusian, along with that incredible view.

Access from Monterey is from the end of Pacific Street, left fork, left onto Artillery Road, right on Corporal Ewing Road. From Pacific Grove, it’s Lighthouse to the Private Bolio gate, and a quick left on Corporal Ewing Road.

PILATES PARTY IN THE PARK: BAGPIPES, SERRA & FUSIAN 11:30am-1:30pm Saturday, April 2. Lower Presidio Park, Monterey. Free. 521-2313, www.OldMontereyFoundation.com.