Parque de las Américas, possibly the most beautiful park in Mérida, is located on Avenida Colón, only 10 minutes from the Fiesta Americana and Hyatt hotels. It occupies four complete city blocks in Colonia García Ginerés and is one of the preferred settings by Mérida families for leisure activities. You can take a taxi, Turibus, or walk.
It was built during the government of Ernesto Novelo Torres, beginning in 1943 and finishing in 1945. It is divided into four different settings, allowing you to enjoy your favorite activities: movies, reading, exercising outdoors, spending time with family, walking the dog, doing your homework, or catching up with the office (the park has free wireless Internet). Best of all, you will always find corn on the cob, “marquesitas”, and other food stands.
The first section consists of an enormous semi-circular fountain with Neomaya architectural influence; it has seven serpentine columns representing Kukulkán. There you will be able to admire the birds who come to drink water, or you can simply sit and enjoy the fresh air, as the locals do.
The second section, Centro Cultural José Martí, represents a Puuc style Maya dwelling, featuring the figures of the pheasant and the deer, iconic animals of Yucatán. The central part is an exhibition room with murals of the American continent and portraits of Bolívar, San Martín, José Martí, Sucre, Hidalgo, Morelos and Washington, done by the painter Bolaños Gallardo. Each month there are visual art exhibits of the works of local, Mexican, and foreign artists, so you will always find something appealing during your visit. There is also a library there, open from 9 am – 4 pm, with a section specializing in art books and videos. If you have children, don’t miss the kids’ reading room, a space devoted to reading with your children. If you like movies, two Tuesdays per month there is a movie forum at 8 pm, with audience discussion after the movie is shown. This is a very popular forum for young people who love the cinema. If you want to read outside in the fresh air, there are reading benches. I recommend spending an afternoon under the shade of the beautiful big trees! Don’t forget to notice the columns throughout the park, dedicated to all the nations of the Americas. You will also see some Chac Mool sculptures, like the one at Chichén Itzá, steles carved in stone with Maya figures.
The third section is the acoustic shell, an open-air theater with a grand esplanade. Its design and decoration refer to the thousand columns at Chichén Itzá. There are always recreational and cultural activities on Sundays, including plays and dances, as the park is one of the official settings for “Mérida en Domingo” (Mérida on Sunday), and the nearby streets are closed to traffic.
The fourth section is the kids’ park with games, a rink for skating, bicycling, and strollers, with rentals available. This area is fenced in for safety. It is lots of fun for the children, with its mini-streetlights; your kids will love it!
Don’t miss this wonderful park, and let us know what you liked the most!
Av. Colón between 18 and 20, Col. García Ginerés
By: Violeta H. Cantarell
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