SAN DIEGO — Not long ago, the Children's Museum received a tip from a well-placed City Hall staffer.

The museum's future home in Balboa Park might be in jeopardy, the source warned.

In October, 1989, the City Council had chosen the museum to move into the park's House of Charm after it is rebuilt in the mid-1990s. But in January, at least two city councilmen were suggesting that perhaps the space should be given to the Mingei International Museum of World Folk Art.

"It was a nightmare," recalled a Children's Museum director, who worried along with other Children's Museum supporters that they might lose their promised space in Balboa Park.

In February, supporters of the museum flooded City Hall with hundreds of protest letters. In March, the matter died without the full council ever discussing it.

For the politicians and various arts institutions, it was just the latest spin on a cultural merry-go-round they can't seem to stop. Since 1989, the council has tried to accommodate arts groups that have either asked to move into Balboa Park or requested more room in their existing park locations.

But the council discovered that trying to accommodate all the cultural groups wanting a park location--something that seems as valuable as a Van Gogh painting--is impossible. There just isn't enough room.

"We can't cram every bit of culture into Balboa Park," said David Twomey, assistant director of the city's Parks and Recreation Department. "We have to start spreading it around."

The council has been most criticized for its handling the Mingei Museum's request for park space. A city-appointed blue-ribbon committee originally recommended that the Mingei, now in a small space in University Towne Centre, move into the House of Charm, but the council gave it to the Children's Museum instead. Later, the council voted to move the Mingei into space at the Casa de Balboa that was being vacated by the Hall of Champions, a sports museum. The council, however, later changed its mind.

Some critics contend that the council based its decisions on campaign contributions rather than merit. The politicians scoff at that notion and instead suggest that little thought was given to the problem when premium park space was handed out.

"I hope someone is having some sleepless nights due to conscience," grumbled Don Wood, past president of Citizens Coordinate for Century 3, an urban planning and environmental group active in park issues and based in the park. "This is politics at its worst," said Wood, who was on the blue-ribbon panel.