Community Corner
San Juan Capistrano claims land for City Park, Juaneno Cultural Village
An acre of San Juan Capistrano will return to the Juaneno Band of Mission Indians. City Coucil approved the $3 million park project.
A small piece of San Juan Capistrano will return to its original ancestors. The Juaneno Band of Mission Indians will at last have a place to call home thanks to the San Juan Capistrano City Council.
According to ABC7 reporter Greg Lee, a 1.3-acre open parcel of land will be turned into a city-owned public park and cultural village for the Juaneno people.
"The most sacred ground that we can be standing on in San Juan Capistrano, at least to me," said tribal member Jerry Nieblas. "This is the sacred village, the ancient village of Putuidem."
Find out what's happening in San Juan Capistranofor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The ancestors of the Juaneno Band of Mission Indians have fought for land and recognition from the city for 30 years, according to Nieblas.
San Juan Capistrano's Mayor Pam Patterson stated that "they definitely need to be recognized," in the ABC7 report.
Find out what's happening in San Juan Capistranofor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Construction of the cultural village and park will take approximately four years, according to reports.
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