Parque España, Urban park in central San José, Costa Rica.
Parque España is an urban park in central San José with paved brick paths running throughout and tropical trees providing shade across the grounds. The green space sits between Avenidas 3 and 7 and Calles 9 and 11, creating an organized area for people to walk and rest.
The site started in 1862 as a resting place for ox cart drivers making deliveries, and was transformed into Parque España in 1920. This change from a working space to a public park reflects how the city grew and changed over time.
The park displays monuments honoring Costa Rican political and cultural figures, including a statue of Juan Vázquez de Coronado that tells visitors about important national leaders. These sculptures create spaces for people to pause and reflect while walking through the green space.
The park sits in the heart of San José and is easy to reach from different parts of the downtown area. Walking from here leads naturally to nearby attractions like Teatro Nacional and the Central Market.
A ceiba tree planted by President John F. Kennedy in 1963 still grows in front of the Yellow House, now home to Costa Rica's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This tree connects a moment of international history to the park's everyday life.
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