Featuring a series of monuments to various Cuban and Cuban American political leaders, Cuban Memorial Boulevard Park represents the legacy of the surrounding community as well as the entire country of Cuba. Located perpendicular to Calle Ocho in Miami, Florida, the collective landmark has become a major attraction for the entire Little Havana neighborhood, cultivating connection across the community and beyond.
The Bay of Pigs Monument, Anti-Communist Memorial and More
Regarded as the epicenter of the Little Havana neighborhood, Cuban Memorial Boulevard Park was created to serve as a place to remember those who fought for freedom and perished during the Cuban Revolution. It is defined by the Bay of Pigs Monument that is dedicated to members of the failed Bay of Pigs Invasion. Dedicated in 1971, it features an Eternal Torch that burns for those who fell fighting for freedom in the Cuban Revolution.
Another monument features the silhouette of a soldier and is dedicated to the anti-communist guerrilla that took place in Cuba from 1960-1966. This Anti-Communist Memorial honors the men and women who fought with weapons against the Castro tyranny. Near it is a bronze statue of Nestor “Tony” Izquierdo, who was a Cuban revolutionary hero. Further down the park is a statue of the Virgin Mary, which sits at an important location for members of the Santeria faith.
Highlighting the impact it has made on the culture and economy of the neighborhood, the park is a main hub of activity for one of the world’s biggest festivals, the Calle Ocho Music Festival. An atmosphere of music, dancing, art displays and food sampling defines various special events that take place throughout the year but it is also the location of many demonstrations, further connecting it to the surrounding community.
All of the monuments that define Cuban Memorial Boulevard Park make it a destination for both residents and visitors. Doing so has highlighted what it can mean for multiple landmarks to create opportunity and engagement that defines the culture and economy of an entire neighborhood.
Connected to the Existence of Little Havana
The tree-lined Cuban Memorial Boulevard Park defines the very existence of the Little Havana neighborhood, personifying what it means for monuments to collectively embody a legacy. Featured in maps and guides to the city and specifically for Little Havana, what might otherwise be an empty or plain stretch of grass has instead been able to cultivate engagement in a way that resonates across eras and audiences.
