Here stands Columbus Park. Ever wonder how a park with such a name became a focal point for Chicano activism?
Columbus Park, initially a nod to the Italian-American community that once thrived here, tells a tale of shifting demographics and cultural awakenings. Back in 1906, the City and County of Denver acquired this plot. By the 1930s, it was officially named Columbus Park.
Post-World War II, the neighborhood’s landscape began to transform. Latino families increasingly made northwest Denver their home. As their presence grew, so did their voice and desire for representation.
The 1960s through the 80s marked the Chicano Movement. Columbus Park became a significant rallying point. Activists took over the park. Similar demonstrations occurred at La Alma/Lincoln Park and Mestizo/Curtis Park. These takeovers were often called “splash-ins”.
In 1970, the community activists took control of Columbus Park. Young people tore down the fence and jumped into the pool. They taunted the police who tried to arrest them. Chicano teenagers became lifeguards. By 1971, the park was effectively under the control of the Chicano movement.
These weren’t just playful acts. They were powerful statements. Activists sought control over community institutions like schools and parks. They wanted these spaces to reflect their culture and values. It was about developing a new sense of community rooted in their historical identity. This is when people started calling the park La Raza Park.
The struggle wasn’t without conflict. In June 1981, a commemoration of the park takeover ended in clashes. Denver police moved in to clear the park because the event didn’t have a permit. The day turned into a night of tear gas and arrests.
Within a few years, the city closed the park’s pool forever. They filled it in and covered it up. The community lost something.
In 2020, a significant shift occurred. Councilwoman Amanda Sandoval spearheaded the effort to officially change the park’s name to La Raza Park. She argued that a park on Navajo Street shouldn’t honor a colonist who committed atrocities against Indigenous people. For decades, many Northside residents, especially Latinos and Chicanos, had already been calling it La Raza Park.
The council unanimously voted to designate La Raza Park as a historic cultural district. This ensures the preservation of key elements. These include the central kiosko structure built in 1989, the Chicano art inside it, and the “La Raza Unida” sculpture by Emanuel Martinez.
La Raza Park stands as a testament to the Chicano Movement. It reflects the community’s fight for recognition and cultural preservation.