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EXPLORING OAXACA

Gardens, Parks and Plazas in Oaxaca de Juárez
by Ron Mader

MEXICO FORUM

Oaxaca City has numerous gardens, plazas and parks.

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PHOTO GALLERY: Oaxaca City's Gardens, Parks and Plazas
SLIDESHOW


PUBLISHERS -- This article is available for paid syndication. Those interested in publishing this article should request permission.


Map

RECOMMENDATION -- If you have limited time, visit the Zócalo, Llano Park and Cerro Fortin.


INDEX

Alameda de Leon - Cerro Fortin - Labastida Park - Conzatti Park - Ciudad de las Canteras - Plazuela de Carmen Alto - Carbajal Garden - Jardín del Pañuelito (Little Handkerchief Garden) - Plaza de la Danza - Sócrates Garden - Pochote Cultural Center - San Pablo Garden - Tequio - Paseo Juárez, El Llano Park - Zócalo


Alameda de Leon
One of the oldest parks in the city, this plaza is located across from the Cathedral, northwest of the Zócalo. Inaugurated in 1843, the park boasts a statue of General Antonio de Leon, the governor who created this place with his secretary Benito Juárez. Each morning army troops raise the green, white and red around 7am.


Zócalo
The Zócalo (town square) is one of the most popular places in town. Details ...

Cerro Fortin
Cerro Fortin overlooks the city and has several kilometers of biking and hiking trails. There are great views of Monte Albán from the planetarium.

Labastida Park
Located along Abasolo between Alcalá Street and 5 de Mayo, this park sports a limestone foundation from the 17th century and equally historic 'caja de agua' used for storing water during the colonial era. Artists exhibit paintings during the day and sell regional crafts, including jewelry, Teotitlán rugs and black pottery. Businesses that border the park include Amate Books, El Topil restaurant, the Camino Real hotel, Los Cuiles and a number of venues in the Plaza de las Virgenes.

Conzatti Park
Located on the north side of the city, the park (formerly a private garden) has a vibrant open-air market on Fridays.

Ciudad de las Canteras
The quarries that were mined for cantera, a compressed volcanic ash, also known as tufa. This green stone was used throughout the city's public buildings and churches. In the 1950s mineral veins were diminishing and the quarry was abandoned and used as a garbage dump. In 1992 the state government cleaned up the area and converted the dump into park. Ciudad de las Canteras is located east of town on Calzada Niños Héroes de Chapultepec and next to soccer stadium Estadio Benito Juárez (named after the president).

Plazuela de Carmen Alto
Located between the Oaxacan Graphic Arts Institute (IAGO) and the Carmen Alto Church and a half block north of Santo Domingo. The Palo Verde blooms in brilliant yellow in the spring. This tree is native to the Isthmus. There are also bushes called muitle with orange blossoms.

Carbajal Garden
Located on Alcala Street between Cosijopi and Xólotl, three blocks north of Santo Domingo, this small garden is frequented by skateboarders in the late afternoon. Most of the trees are ficus. Look closely and you can spot a poplar (alamo), a few causarinas and a water-sucking eucalyptus.

Jardín del Pañuelito (Little Handkerchief Garden)
Located south of Santo Domingo on Gurrion Street, this small garden has a beautiful jacaranda tree which blooms in the spring.

Plaza de la Danza
Located next to the Basilica, this plaza hosts numerous cultural events and concerts.

Sócrates Garden
Located next to the Basilica, a half dozen ice cream vendors sell regional sweets in this intimate plaza.

Pochote Cultural Center
The Pochote Cultural Center was created with the support of Oaxacan artist Francisco Toledo. The center is part of the famous Arquitos and home to the Friday/Saturday Pochote Market. Spot the seven pochote trees, the rosita blanca de cacao (used for tejate), pirul (false pepper tree), primavera and the beautiful jacaranda. The center also has a pond with papyrus and lotes.

San Pablo Garden
Across from the Provedora Escolar bookstore on Independencia and Fiallo.

Plaza del Artesano
Dr. Ramón Pardo, in between Armenta y Lopez and Bustamante.

Ciudad Universitaria (CU)
Located on the south side of town across from the firehouse and Fabricas de Francia, this university sports park has basketball courts, a baseball field, rugby and a running track. Photos

Tequio
This park is located near the airport. It has a running track and swimming pool. To get there, take a collectivo from Simbolos Patrios marked with La Raya, Aeropuerto or El Tequio.

Botanical Garden
There is a botanical garden outside of town nearby San Andrés Huayapam.

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Paseo Juárez, El Llano Park
This park is located one block west and six blocks north of the Zócalo. It's one of the oldest parks in the city and is dedicated to Oaxaca-born President Benito Juárez. Oaxacan governor Gregorio Chávez planted several trees in 1894 when the park was inaugurated.

You'll find the monument to Benito Juárez on a pedestal decorated with grecas inspired by the Mitla archaeological site. Look for the tall ash (fresno, or fraxinus uhdei) with the 'copa de oro' plant wrapped around the trunk. This tree was planted by Chávez who also constructed the Benito Juárez Market and the train station. He also planted a number of laurel trees, including one that has been 'repaired' with bricks.

The park's other notable trees include a higo de valle planted by General José María Morelos in the winter of 1812-1813. The city of Palo Alto gave a white oak (cedro blanco) to its sister city of Oaxaca de Juárez.

There are also several trees from Australia, including araucarias and eucalptus.

This park was once used for the city zoo which closed in 1970. The entrances were marked by the bronze lions still standing guard at the corners of the park.

A great day to visit is December 12th when the park is filled with family amusements to celebrate the Virgen of Guadalupe at the Guadalupe Sanctuary. On Fridays during Lent male students hand out flowers to the pretty girls. Whoever receives the most flowers wins bragging rights!


AUTHOR

Ron Mader is the Latin America correspondent for Transitions Abroad and host of the award-winning Planeta.com website.


REFERENCES

b Al rescate de los parques de la Ciudad - Noticias
b Inauguran la nueva Plaza de la Danza - Imparcial
b Ciudad del abandono - Noticias
b Abandonan en El Tequio esculturas del Zócalo - Noticias
b Oaxaca Gardening Club

FLICKR

g Oaxaca City's Green Treasure Map
g Oaxaca City's Gardens, Parks and Plazas
g Ciudad Universitaria (CU)
g Cerro Fortin
g Llano Park
g Zócalo
b Group: City Parks
b Group: Arboles de Oaxaca/Oaxaca Trees
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Do you know Oaxaca? We challenge you to our Visual Scavenger Hunt and Hunt #2.

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