The park was derelict prior to being nationalized and given its current name in 1965. It contains 6,000 m2 of trees[2] and three talaveraazulejo water fountains.[3]
President José López Portillo commissioned a sculpture of Hernán Cortés, Doña Marina, and their son Martín. The 1981 statue by Julián Martínez Sotos was originally placed in front of Cortés's house in Coyoacán. After López Portillo left office, the sculpture was moved to Parque Xicoténcatl.[4]