El Colobó

Entrance to the African Village in El Colobó, 2007

El Colobó, the newest garden in Norris Square, recognizes the African aspect of Puerto Rican ancestry. The garden is divided into three distinct plots, each representing a subset of African culture, such as the plantation era of the United States South. The types of vegetables and flowers were specially selected to correspond with the particular theme.

In the center of the garden are three African huts, which, in the standard fashion, are extravagantly painted both inside and out. The garden also features an outdoor kitchen that is used for cooking demonstrations and get-togethers.

This garden has a small market stand in it, to encourage children to sell crafts and vegetables that they have made and grown. But another new addition to the garden is the amazing Story Telling Room, which holds artifacts, crafts, and books from Africa and Puerto Rico inside its brightly colored walls.