Costa Rica Municipal Parks

Park Central -[Av. 2-4/calle Central-2]. (Tomas Guardia Square). It`s punctated by tall Royal palms and other exotic trees (among others one Guanacaste) and has an ornate fountain, concrete benches and spider-like kiosko (something like a stage), where on every sunday concerts are held. The donator of that structure was former Nicaragua dictator Anastasio Somoza. A few years back in a referendum, inhabitants of San Jose decided about not pulling down it. Beneath the kiosko there is a Carmen Lyra Children`s Library and has been put since 2004 an ornate flagpole. At the northern park edge at across the street there is a Melico Salazar Theater, and old famous in Costa Rica Soda Palace (resaturation).

Park of Braulio Carillo -[Av.2-4/calle 12-14]. (Park Merced). It`s situated in front of La Merced church. Has 1,3 metre precolombian stone sphere, the statue of former president Braulio Carillo and Gothic arch-shaped fountain. There is also a monument honoring the astronomer Copernicus. It`s covered by high palms and agavas. In the southern edge of park there is a factory of beer and in the western one - the hospital of San Juan de Dios.

Park of Francisco Morazan -[Av.3-5/calle 5-9]. It`s devided into four plots. In the middle stands the neoclassic kiosko that serves as the band-shell. In its north-west side rise tabebuiba trees, that bloom in dry season. To the southern part are stuck two historical houses. In north-east corner, in front of the metal building, there is a fountain. The park is overshaded by La Aurora Hotel (the highest hotel in town). It`s scattered by the statues and busts (Bernardo Soto Alfaro, Bernardo O`Higgins).
It`s surrounded by the long concrete benches that serve as the fence with iron, ornate gates. In 1998 a 3,5 metres of height bronze statue of Costa Rica president from 1974 - 1978 Daniel Oduber Quiros was erected. That way his participation in social country development was commemorated. The monument was made by Costa Rica artist Olger Villegas. In 1992 park was landscaped with lawns and benches.

Park of Spain -[Av.3-7/calle 9-11]. (Park of Expression). Shady, little park accentuated by the transplanted from around the country tropical trees. There the monument of conquistador Juan Vasquez de Coronado, Simon Bolivar and a large fountain are destinguished. There are the tableaus devoted for Manuel Gonzalez Zeledon from 1964, Aquileo J. Echeveria (1966), for the memory of the members of balet of Dona Caralia de Romero who have been killed in catastrophe in Choluteca (Honduras) in 1969. In the western part there is also a big tebleau from 1978 about the first singing of national hymn at that place by children in 1903. In its south-western corner there is a former liquor factory that in 1994 was converted into the National Centre of Culture. At the western side of the park there is so called Metal Building. To the North is the Institute for National Insurance building. In the northeast corner is placed colonial-style tiled tiny chapel with 4 ornated reliefs on each side. In 1994 it was renovated with the help of the Spanish Embassy.

Park of La Sabana -[Av.America/calle 42]. The nation largest urban park in the western San Jose. It`s situated on the place of former (1958) international airport. It has olimpic size swimming-pool, bicycles and jogging cement trails, football, tennis and golf fields. There is also the artificial lake and national football stadium. It`s covered by the maze of trees (among others eucaliptuses) and open grassy areas where Ticos families lay out picnics. Within that in former terminal building there is a National Museum of Costa Rica Art. It is referred to the New York Central Park.