Susana Park is located a few blocks from Plaza Ignacio Park (and Fountain) and kitty corner from the Saint Catherine of Siena Roman Catholic Church . It's a small and shaded park, with several benches, lighted walkways, and a stage at the far end.
Before it was a park, this was the site of the 1859 Masonic Hall. When the Masons built a new hall on what is now Masonic Street, the City purchased the land and turned it into a park. One of Don Ignacio Nicanor Martinez's (the original grantee of the Rancho El Pinole, a portion of which is now the city of Martinez) Twins, was named Susana for which this park is named..
A number of trees from all over the world were planted in the Park, including Redwood, Deodar Cedar, Monkey Tail, and several Portuguese Cork trees. In the early days of Martinez, the area where the park is now was known as "Portuguese Flats", due to the large population of Portuguese who lived there. It is believed that the people in the community included Portuguese Cork trees in honor of the home they left behind.
The park is the site of the annual Art in the Park festival and used for community band concerts. Behind the park is a small creek that you can see from the sidewalk on Susana Street. This Park is yet another example of pleasant surprises to be found within Martinez, as long as I'm willing to open my eyes and look around. read more