SAN DIEGO — Chicano Park is a National Historic Landmark in the heart of Barrio Logan and San Diego is celebrating the park's 52nd anniversary. The park stands today as an artistic and cultural treasure. But it wasn’t all smooth sailing.
"I have more paintings here in the park than anybody else," said Victor Ochoa, a muralist and proud Chicano artist.
Ochoa shared his latest project with CBS 8. "If you go way up to the top I would recommend going to the front you’ll see a '65 impala," said Ochoa.
In 1970, the area was going to be used as a highway patrol station.
Hundreds of people stood up forming a human chain around bulldozers. Protesters occupied space for 12 days.
The formation of Chicano Park was signed into law in 1971. Mural paintings began two years after. Ochoa said he was there for the park's early days.
"Pride is something for me, really important, that the community has something to be proud of, but also so they can learn our history," said Ochoa.
"This is highlighting our Mayan Aztec culture and design," said Lucas Cruz.
The chairman of the Chicano Park Steering Committee, Lucas Cruz is proud of how far the park has come.
One way Cruz says you can celebrate the park is to learn the history.
"It took us seven years to come up with this and if you notice the quiosco, it’s on top of the bathrooms on top of the playgrounds there," said Cruz.
"My recent mural on Anastasio Hernandez Rojas is right next to the fountain. It’s a 7-story high mural dedicated to Anastasio who was murdered at the border so immigration and that of the border is the theme that’s evolving," said Ochoa.
In 2011 and 2012, almost two dozen murals were restored with federal funding. Many of the original artists did the repairs themselves, aided by friends and family.
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