Parque Amigos de José Martí (José Martí Park)
Nestled in the heart of historic Ybor City, José Martí Park is a hidden gem and a powerful symbol of the deep and lasting ties between Tampa and Cuba. This small but significant park sits on land that once held the home of Paulina Pedroso, a prominent Afro-Cuban patriot and close confidante of José Martí. Together, Pedroso and Martí played vital roles in the Cuban independence movement of the late 19th century.

The park honors José Martí, known as the “Apostle of Cuban Independence”—a poet, journalist, and revolutionary who galvanized support for Cuba’s liberation from Spain. The land was donated to the Cuban government in the 1950s by Manuel Quevedo Jaureguizar and his wife, Mercedes Carillo la Guardia. Today, the site remains under Cuban ownership, making it one of the few places in the United States officially recognized as Cuban soil.

The Gandy photo shows the park circa late 1960s, when Ybor City was struggling and Marti Park was left unattended and overgrown.

Recent improvements have transformed the park into a more welcoming and dignified space. It now features lush landscaping and a striking bronze statue of Martí, set in a plaza containing soil from each of Cuba’s provinces. A bust of General Antonio Maceo Grajales, a key military leader in the Cuban Liberation Army, also stands within the grounds. Informational plaques tell the story of La Casa Pedroso, the home where Martí stayed during his time in Tampa.

Now, surrounding the park are Casa Pedroso, Casa Martí, and Casa Gómez—new multi-purpose buildings named in honor of Cuban independence heroes. These additions reflect a renewed commitment to preserving and celebrating the area's rich historical legacy.

 © Chip Weiner. All rights reserved