The Floating Walkway

Last Tuesday I made another trip to Chapultepec Park.  Chapultepec Park, one of the largest urban parks in the Americas, is divided into four sections.  Section 1, with its numerous museums, is the most visited, followed by Section 2 which also has a number of attractions.  However, walking from Section 1 to Section 2 has always been a bit difficult since the two are separated by a gauntlet of busy highways.  Last month an elevated pedestrian path called the "Calzada  Flotante" (Floating Walkway) that connects parts 1 and 2 of the park was inaugurated.  (Why they call it "floating", I don't know, since it has supports like any other bridge.)

The new walkway begins at the far end of Section 1 of the park by Molino del Rey (the King's Mill).  You may remember that last week I wrote about the new corn museum that is located in the old mill.  

Molino del Rey was a flour mill dating back to colonial times.  In those days it was on the outskirts of the city.  During the Mexican American War (1846-1848) it was the site of one the final battles as the U.S. troops marched toward Mexico City.  

There is a line of canons that defended the Mexican position, and a memorial to the Mexican soldiers that died in the battle.  

Although the U.S. troops suffered heavy casualties, they broke through the Mexican line of defense and marched on through the forest to fight the final battle at the Chapultepec Castle.

There are two busts honoring the "Heroes of Molino del Rey", Generals Antonio de León and Lucas Balderas who were both killed in the battle.

There is a major street in Mexico City called Balderas.  Now I know the origen of its name.

Part of the aqueduct which once carried water to the mill still stands.

Nearby is a monument to Francisco Madero who called for the overthrow of dictator Porfirio Díaz, beginning the Mexican Revolution of 1910.

Another monument has the eagle and the serpent which are portrayed on the nation's flag and coat of arms.

It is just beyond that monument that the "Floating Walkway" begins.

To the north you can see the high-rises of Polanco, one of the city's most affluent neighborhoods.

The walkway passes over the busy "Anillo Periférico" (Peripheral Ring Highway) and under the elevated "Autopista Urbana" (Urban Toll Road).

Quickly and safely, I arrived at the second section of Chapultepec Park.