City to Conduct Ground Penetrating Radar Survey of Miraflores Park

The City of Pensacola invites the public to visit Miraflores Park Wednesday, Nov. 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., as the city conducts a ground penetrating radar survey as part of the Miraflores Burial Ground Study.

City staff and the Florida Public Archaeology Network will be on site to share information about the Miraflores Burial Ground Study, non-invasive archaeological survey techniques, and to answer questions.

The GPR survey will be conducted for one week, along with a historic human remains detection dog survey, beginning Monday, Nov. 27 and continue through Friday, Dec. 1.

In May, the City of Pensacola was awarded a $22,160 grant from the National Park Service to fund a ground penetrating radar survey at Miraflores Park. The grant award is part of $21 million awarded by the National Park Service to 37 projects in 16 states through the Historic Preservation Fund’s African American Civil Rights grant program, which funds preservation projects and efforts of sites tied to the struggle of African Americans to gain equal rights.

Miraflores Park is located at 1601 E. La Rua St. in Pensacola.

About the Miraflores Burial Ground Study

As a result of research following the discovery of human remains at Miraflores Park in June 2021, the City of Pensacola is conducting a burial ground study of the park’s grounds with a goal of assessing, interpreting and commemorating the site.

Miraflores Park was originally known as Havana Square before being renamed in 1965 as part of Pensacola’s Fiesta of Five Flags celebration. Ongoing historic research has identified multiple historic documents including newspaper articles, meeting minutes, legal records, and a map indicating that Havana Square was used as a burial ground potentially for people of African American or Creole descent.

The Miraflores Burial Ground Study is being supported in part by an African American Civil Rights grant from the Historic Preservation Fund administered by the National Park Service, Department of the Interior.

To learn more about the Miraflores Burial Ground Study, view an interactive story map, and stay informed about future updates on the study, visit cityofpensacola.com/Miraflores.

City to Conduct Ground Penetrating Radar Survey of Miraflores Park

For more information or general questions, email pio@cityofpensacola.com. To stay informed about what's happening with City of Pensacola government, sign up for email or text notifications through Notify Me or follow @CityofPensacola on social media.