The park grounds were once full of plentiful orchards and vegetable plots thanks to the water coming down from El Chorro. Dr. Hernández Macías wanted San Miguel residents to have a place for recreation, and also wanted to create a "lung" for the city, and so over a period of 9 years, from 1895 to 1904, he bought the orchards one by one and put them together to create this park, an extraodinarily beautiful sight when it opened 100 years ago. Specially chosen trees grew lush, pruned cedars and acacias graced the two original entrances on Diez de Sollano and Aldama (fomerly Calle de Hospital), lawns were dotted with calla lilies, and sculpted hedges lined the interior paths. The park also had two large cisterns, which would supply water in case El Chorro ran dry. Where today we see basketball courts was once a field full of sunflowers, with an impressive fountain in the middle. Though that fountain is gone, other fountains have been preserved. These all have low walls, letting us see reflections on the water.

On September 16, 1904, the park was ceremoniously dedicated to Governor Joaquín Obregón González with the unveiling of two commemorative bronze plaques (these were unfortunately lost in the Mexican Revolution).

The third and current name of the park is "Benito Juárez," which was chosen immediately after the death of this Mexican president in July 1917. Years ago, the park was also called "el Jardín Francés" because it bore a definite resemblance to the French gardens of the time.

The field of sunflowers eventually dried up with no one watering it, and the fountain in the middle was dissassembled to make room for an open-air theater, which was later replaced by the basketball courts in the mid-20th century. Jungle gyms were put in during the 1960's, and have been improved on and expanded since then, as the city has grown.

Parque Juárez is not the same as it was 100 years ago. It has lost much of its luster, despite those who have invested their time and hard work for its conservation. Locals have expressed many wishes for improvement, knowing that it is never too late to act, and to prevent the destruction of more green areas; we must cherish and respect what we have, and enjoy this beautiful park in the heart of the city, part of our lives in San Miguel.