SAN DIEGO, Calif. (KGTV) -- The San Diego City Council is getting ready to honor one of the founders of Chicano Park by declaring Tuesday, September 25th Josephine Talamantez Day.
Talamantez helped secure the land for the park on April 20th, 1970 when the community found out that the state planned to use the land to build a CHP substation and a parking lot. The community occupied the park for 13 days and were able to keep the land.
In recent months, some have questioned the park saying that it is un-welcoming or un-American. Talamantez says they are ill-informed.
RELATED: At least 4 arrested, one for punching officer, at Chicano Park demonstrations
The Barrio Logan native was also instrumental in getting the park recognized as a National Historic Landmark in 2017 and for getting a number of the murals on the National Register of Historic Places.
Just last month, Talamantez was also successful in getting the city council to unanimously approve a 20-year lease for the future home of the Chicano Park Museum and Cultural Center.
RELATED: Lease approved for Chicano Park museum and communitycenter
Despite the recognition, Talamantez doesn't like to take all of the credit. She says the success of the park is due in part to the work of the rest of her passionate community.
