Chicano Park (murals)

When: Wednesday, August 8, 1:00 p.m.

Capacity: Maximum of 25 people.

Directions: Established by Chicano activists on April 22, 1970, Chicano Park has received international recognition as a major public art site for its commanding murals. Chicano Park, located beneath the San Diego-Coronado Bridge, has over 70 murals painted on bridge and flyover columns as well as ramps and retaining walls depicting a wide variety of social, political, cultural, and historical aspects of past and present struggles of Chicanos/Mexicanos. “…a seamy underbelly of massive gray concrete freeway ramps and pylons re-imagined by muralists as dazzling public art.” Chicano Park was added to the Historical Landmarks Registry, designated by the San Diego Historical Resources Board in March 1980.

Over the past year (June 2011-June 2012) through the Chicano Park Mural Restoration project, 18 of the murals have been restored and revitalized by the original artists and/or their designees. The project was recently awarded the 2012 Excellence in Historic Preservation Award (Cultural Landscape) given by the City of San Diego Historical Resources Board.

Chicano Park Samba: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1He6ElE0CU.

New York Times: A Resilient San Diego Barrio.

Reservations: Tommie Camarillo (Chairwoman, Chicano Park Steering Committee), cpscchicanopark@sbcglobal.net. Please put "Chicano Park tour August 8" in the subject line. Tour Guide: Rosa Olga. See www.chicano-park.com for more information about the Park.

Directions: The park is located under the San Diego-Coronado bridge, bounded by Interstate 5 freeway, Crosby Street, National Ave., Newton Ave., Dewey St. and Evans St., 92113 (Cesar Chavez Blvd. between National Ave. and Logan Ave.). Meet at the Kiosco (pictured).

Public transportation: Catch the southbound Route 11 bus at 10^th Ave and Park Blvd (Petco Park) to Logan Ave. and Cesar E. Chavez Pkwy. (Chicano Park) (http://www.sdmts.com/RouteFiles/routes/pdf/11.pdf). Or take the blue line trolley to the Barrio Logan station. For alternate routes, go to http://sdmts.com/Tripplanner.asp.