The Luis Muñoz Rivera Park (or Parque Luis Muñoz Rivera in

Spanish Spanish might refer to: * Items from or related to Spain: **Spaniards are a nation and ethnic group indigenous to Spain **Spanish language, spoken in Spain and many countries in the Americas **Spanish cuisine **Spanish history **Spanish culture ...

) is a 27.2 acre (110,000 m²)

recreational Recreation is an activity of leisure, leisure being discretionary time. The "need to do something for recreation" is an essential element of human biology and psychology. Recreational activities are often done for enjoyment, amusement, or plea ...

public space located in Puerta de Tierra in

San Juan San Juan, Spanish for Saint John (disambiguation), Saint John, most commonly refers to: * San Juan, Puerto Rico * San Juan, Argentina * San Juan, Metro Manila, a highly urbanized city in the Philippines San Juan may also refer to: Places Arge ...

Puerto Rico ; abbreviated PR), officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, is a Government of Puerto Rico, self-governing Caribbean Geography of Puerto Rico, archipelago and island organized as an Territories of the United States, unincorporated territo ...

. The park was named in honor of Puerto Rican statesman

Luis Muñoz Rivera Luis Muñoz Rivera (July 17, 1859 – November 15, 1916) was a Puerto Rican poet, journalist and politician. He was a major figure in the struggle for political autonomy of Puerto Rico in union with Spain. In 1887, Muñoz Rivera became part ...

. It is the largest

public square A town square (or public square, urban square, city square or simply square), also called a plaza or piazza, is an open public space commonly found in the heart of a traditional town or city, and which is used for community gatherings. Relat ...

in the San Juan metropolitan area.

History

In 1917 Law 43 was passed stating a park named Muñoz Rivera Park should be built in

and land was set aside for its creation. The land once formed part of the city's " Third line of defense" built in the 18th century. The powder magazine built in 1769, “ El Polvorín de San Gerónimo”, designed by military engineer Thomas O'Daly, is still located on the grounds of the park. Polvorin San Geronimo SW view - San Juan Puerto Rico

Polvorin San Geronimo SW view - San Juan Puerto Rico

The east side of the park is bordered by the Puerto Rican Supreme Court building designed in 1952-56 by architects Toro Ferrer. To the north lies the public beach called El Escambrón Beach, the Parque del Tercer Milenio and the

Estadio Sixto Escobar Estadio Sixto Escobar is a multi-purpose stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The stadium was named after boxer Sixto Escobar, the first champion of Puerto Rico, in 1938. Originally built as a baseball venue, the stadium then became a frequent ven ...

, former home of the San Juan Senators and Santurce Crabbers baseball clubs. The park was designed by Bennett, Parsons & Frost of Chicago in 1925. Its construction from 1926 to 1934 was directed by William Parsons and Francisco Valines Cofresí. The distinctive ''faux bois'' park elements and furniture were designed by sculptor Victor M. Cott in the 1930s. Subsequent major restorations have been directed by architects Orval Sifontes in the 1970s, Otto Reyes Casanova in 1990–93, and by

Andres Mignucci Andres or Andrés may refer to: *Andres, Illinois, an unincorporated community in Will County, Illinois, US *Andres, Pas-de-Calais, a commune in Pas-de-Calais, France *Andres (name) *Hurricane Andres * "Andres" (song), a 1994 song by L7 See also ...

, in 2000–04, who also wrote about the park's history in his book . In 2015, then mayor of San Juan

Carmen Yulín Cruz Carmen Yulín Cruz Soto (born February 25, 1963) is a Puerto Rican politician who served as mayor of the city of San Juan, Puerto Rico from 2013 to 2020. From 2009 through 2013, Cruz served in the House of Representatives of Puerto Rico. Ea ...

announced the park would be used for educational purposes. In late December 2018, the park was the venue for a large fashion show raising awareness for the HIV pandemic.

Gallery

Paseo Central y Pabellon de la Paz - Parque Luis Munoz Rivera - San Juan Puerto Rico.jpg, A view of the Park Pabellon de la Paz interior - Parque Luis Munoz Rivera - San Juan Puerto Rico.jpg, A view of the ()

References

External links

Tour of the park
{{DEFAULTSORT:Luis Munoz Rivera Park Parks in Puerto Rico Geography of San Juan, Puerto Rico National Register of Historic Places in San Juan, Puerto Rico Protected areas established in 1925 Tourist attractions in San Juan, Puerto Rico Parks on the National Register of Historic Places 1925 establishments in Puerto Rico Squares in Puerto Rico Individually listed contributing properties to historic districts on the National Register in Puerto Rico