Gregory Lopez Park [1.7 acres]

This small neighborhood park was acquired in 1951. Originally named Casa Alegre Park, on November 10, 1976 the Santa Fe City Council passed a resolution to rename the park to Gregory Lopez Park. The park was officially dedicated on April 24, 1977, the ninth anniversary of Gregory’s death.

Gregory Lopez [1952 — 1968]

Gregory Lopez was born August 8, 1952 to Gregory S. and Rita Lopez. He was the eldest of five boys. The family lived less than a block from the Casa Alegre Park and the boys and their two sisters played there often. Gregory lived an active life, he played in Little League baseball, was an altar boy at St. John’s Catholic Church and often on the academic Honor Roll at St. Michael’s High School. Gregory had one date in his life. He attended a Sadie Hawkins dance and got to hold hands with his date.

On April 24, 1968, Gregory was on his way home in a van when a group of kids started throwing rocks at the van and broke a window. One of Gregory’s friends got out to ask their names so they could pay for the damage. When he saw other kids starting to beat up his friend, Gregory got out of the van to help his friend. One of the attackers turned and stabbed Gregory in the heart.

He was pronounced dead upon arrival at St. Vincent Hospital.