Gilbert Ramirez Park Traditional Geocache

Gilbert Ramirez Park opened to the public as McKibben Park in 1936. The original design included handball and basketball courts, horseshoes, shuffleboard, and senior swings. In 1999, Mayor Giuliani allocated $850,000 and City Council Member Victor Robles allocated $585,000 for the complete renovation of the site. Alecksandra Szefke’s whimsical design, which takes its inspiration from both the subway line and the proposed city water tunnel that run beneath the site, received the Art Commission Award for Excellence in Design in 2001. The materials and style of the construction reflect an exciting urban-industrial environment. The diagonal lines of the underground tunnels ascend to a play area with a subway theme. Musical chimes accompany a series of water spray arches. A fence along the edge of the property features cut-steel panels depicting neighborhood scenes. The park re-opened on May 2001 as Gilbert Ramirez Park. It stands as one more tribute to a memorable and inspiring man, who lived a life devoted to justice.