Parque de Orlando y Diego Mendoza
750 S. Convent Ave., Tucson AZ 85701
Mini Park • 0.3 acres • Ward 6
Orlando and Diego Mendoza Memorial
In 1981, two young brothers, Orlando and Diego Mendoza, died when a drunk driver ran a stop sign at the intersection of S. Convent Avenue and W. 18th Street, hitting the car in which the two children were riding. Orlando was two years old; Diego was 17 months old. The accident left behind their heartbroken parents, Frank and Mary Mendoza. The rock and concrete shrine was built by neighbors in memory of the two children. Today, this park serves as a quiet respite and a reminder of how precious life is.
The colorful wall adornments in the park are based on papel picado (paper cutouts) used on el Dia de los Muertos (the Day of the Dead) which is celebrated annually on November 2nd. On this day, the memory of departed loved ones is honored by Hispanic families. Dia de los Muertos celebrations are held at el Parque de Orlando y Diego Mendoza in memory of the two little brothers and other children that have left before their time. We can all do our part to honor the memory of Orlando and Diego by not drinking and driving.
Location
750 S. Convent Ave., Tucson 85701 View Map
32.212259,-110.971879
750 S. Convent Ave. ,
Tucson 85701
750 S. Convent Ave. ,
Tucson 85701
Parque de Orlando y Diego Mendoza