I
have seen glimpses of colorful murals when passing by Barrio Logan;
however, I've never taken the time to stop and visit. I decided
that today was the day to explore this unusual place that claims seventy-two Chicano murals. It's a sunny day, but most of this park is shaded
from the bridges above. It's noisier than most parks due to the
nearby interstate. A small parking lot and street parking are
available.
The
Barrio Logan area of San Diego was originally settled by Mexican
American immigrants in the late 1800s; it is now home to the unique
Chicano Park, which displays the nation's largest collection of
outdoor murals. What makes the display particularly interesting is
the fact that it is under the many ramps that merge onto the San
Diego-Coronado Bridge. With the arches and pylons going in various
directions, and 72 colorful murals painted on the walls, trusses,
pylons, arches, overhangs, restrooms, and curved bridges, it is a
remarkable sight. It is listed on the National Register of Historic
Places.
In
addition to the artwork, the park provides a children's playground,
benches, picnic tables, sculptures, gardens, fountains,and a place of
rest and relaxation for many.
This
area was called the East End in the late 1800s when it was settled by
Mexican American immigrants. The name changed to Logan Heights in
1905. It eventually became known as Barrio Logan. This was a growing
area that flourished during WW II with a population of 20,000.
However, in the 1950s the area was rezoned as industrial, and the
population began to decline. This was followed by the bisection of
the barrio by Interstate 5 in 1963, and the Coronado Bridge
construction in the late 1960s. By 1979, the population had declined
to 5,000, and sadly many homes had been demolished.
It
was in 1967 that the residents began demanding a neighborhood park
under the bridge. Two years later, the pleas for a park were met, and
a 1.8 acre parcel was approved. It would be located at the east
approach to the bridge between Logan and National Avenues. When
bulldozers appeared on the adjacent property in 1970 to begin grading
for a police substation, almost immediately, hundreds of local
residents, students and community activists gathered to demonstrate.
A human chain was formed around the bulldozers and the construction
ceased. The victorious community raised a Chicano flag and then
proceeded to plant the area with trees and cacti.
The
addition of the murals is due to the determination of Salvador
Torres, a local artist, who decided to convert his disdain for the
bridge pylons into something positive. In 1969, he expressed his
vision of local Chicano painters and sculptors turning the bridge
pylons into things of beauty, reflecting the Mexican American
culture. Finally, after three years of lobbying and planning, they
received permission, and painting began in 1973. Torres is described
as the “architect of the dream” for his role in inspiring and
launching the project.
The
murals, painted by local artists, reflect Chicano life, history, and
mythology. The use of murals as a tool of political resistance is a
long Mexican tradition. One of the most popular murals in the park is
Colossus (1974) by Mario Torero. It is an image of Atlas, from
classical mythology, supporting one the the bridge exit ramps.
Chicano
Park continues to be a source of pride for the many who have worked
for its existence. It is a symbol of what can be achieved by those
who fight for what they believe in, and a special place that should
be seen and enjoyed by visitors to San Diego and locals as well. I
look forward to bringing future visitors to the park and plan to
attend the next annual Chicano Park Day celebration April 25, 2015.
.
