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Fifth Period: From the downfall of Rafael L. Trujillo (1961) to 1996
Plazas
Plaza de la Cultura, or Culture Plaza:
The Juan Pablo Duarte Plaza de la Cultura was built at the beginning of the decade of the 70’s. It is located within an extensive park populated with century old trees. It is composed of a set of buildings that house the National Library, the Museum of the Dominican Man, the National Theater, the Museum of Modern Art, the Museum of Natural History and the Museum of History and Geography.
Plaza España or Spain Plaza: It was inaugurated in 1990, year in which the Colonial Zone of Santo Domingo was declared by UNESCO as a Cultural Patrimony of Humanity. It is located at the end of Las Damas Street, near the Alcazar de Colon or the Palace of Columbus, as part of a group of buildings that includes other interesting colonial structures. Adjacent to the frontal courtyard of the Palace, on an extension of Las Damas Street, operates a row of bohemian coffee shops.
Plaza de la Salud or Plaza of Health: It was built on the grounds of the old race track, Perla Antillana, during the last period of the Balaguer administration, which concluded in 1996. It consists of a set of buildings that house areas of medical services, medical specialties, medical instruction facilities, offices of health institutions, as well as a conference center.
Parks
Parques Mirador Sur, Norte y Este, or South, North and East Lookout Parks: These parks were part of Dr. Balaguer’s urban works policy in different periods of his administration. The first one was El Parque Mirador Sur or the South Lookout Park, constructed in 1972. It was followed by the Parque Mirador Este or the East Lookout Park (1978), and finally Parque Mirador Norte or the North Lookout Park (1993). The design embodies the concept of lung of the city with recreation and includes landscaped elements such as fountains, sculptures and artificial lakes.
Jardín Botánico Rafael M. Moscoso or theRafael M. Moscoso Botanical Garden: Inaugurated in 1976, the garden responds to a design of the landscaping artist Mamoru Matsunaga. It occupies an area of two million square meters and it is located on an elevation that fluctuates between 70 and 80 meters. It was conceived not only as a lung of the city, but also as a sanctuary in which both animals and plants coexist in harmony.
Parque Zoologico Nacional or National Zoo: It was constructed in 1975 on a 1500 million square meters surface. It is one of the largest zoos in Latin America.
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