Reporting by James Bartolo, Pueblo Chieftain
A park in Pueblo is being nominated for the National Register of Historic Places due to its ties to the Chicano Movement, women’s history and artistic significance.
Plaza Verde Park, located at 800 E. Ash St. in East Pueblo, was established in 1972 following efforts by a group local mothers known as Las Madres de la Casa Verde.
Founded with a mission to empower Chicano youth, Las Madres grew concerned about the lack of safe recreational spaces in the 1965 flood-devastated Lower East Side neighborhood. They teamed up with the city of Pueblo and La Raza Unida to establish what is now an 8.2-acre park with colorful murals.
On July 27, Pueblo City Council unanimously approved a resolution consenting to the city-owned Plaza Verde Park’s nomination to the national historic register.
“I’m just so honored to place this vote today in celebrating Las Madres and all of the Madres who come to represent their children for a brighter future,” Councilwoman Selena Ruiz-Gomez said during the July 27 meeting.
What led to Plaza Verde Park in Pueblo being nominated
Efforts to nominate Plaza Verde Park for the National Register of Historic Places are part of History Colorado’s “Colorado Heritage for All” initiative identifying 150 places telling stories of underrepresented Coloradans.
The initiative seeks to add all sites to the state and/or national register by the end of the year, according to a History Colorado draft proposal.
“A historic designation on the local, state or national level opens up a property to a variety of financial incentives including grants from the State Historical Fund at History Colorado,” History Colorado Grants Engagement Specialist Winter Roybal said. “These grants can provide support for assessments and physical preservation work on historic structures, as well as funding interpretive signage for historic sites.”
Contributing features identified in the nomination include murals painted on the park’s handball courts and restroom facility.
Murals at Plaza Verde Park were painted by Leo Lucero, Anthony Armijo and artists between 1978 and 2013. Damion Pechota, National and State Register Historian with History Colorado, described the murals as “significant and living representations of Chicano muralism” in a July 27 presentation to council.
Nomination efforts are being accompanied by significant community support, including 150 letters from community members.
“(Las Madres) work extended far beyond providing a safe place for youth,” Community member Carmen Arteaga said during the July 27 council meeting. “They organized tutoring programs, cultural education and positive after school and weekend activities for Chicano children. They also supported neighborhood families by helping with rent, medical expenses, food and clothing.”
Pueblo Chieftain reporter James Bartolo can be reached at JBartolo@gannett.com. Support local news; subscribe to the Pueblo Chieftain at subscribe.chieftain.com.
This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain.
