GETTING AWAY

Garden of Gethsemane

Felix Lucero Park is a peaceful spot, a respite from the hustle and bustle of Tucson and a quiet place of reflection just off a busy freeway. Located on the western bank of the Santa Cruz River, the small garden features several white concrete statues of religious figures, including Jesus Christ on the cross, the Holy Family and the apostles at the Last Supper. Felix Lucero, an untrained artist, created the original figures in the 1940s with sand from the riverbed, but they were washed away by a flood. He then mixed sand with concrete to form the more permanent figures. Lucero, who died in 1951, said he built the statues to honor a promise he made during World War I on the battlefields of France. The statues have been moved several times due to road construction and flood control measures, and some have been damaged by vandals. There is no admission charge to go there, pause and reflect.

– Sam Lowe

If you go
Garden of Gethsemane
Felix Lucero Park
602 W. Congress St., Tucson