Though it isn't centrally located, La Sabana (the savannah) comes the closest of San José's green spaces to achieving the same function and spirit as New York's Central Park. A statue of 1930s president León Cortes greets you at the park's principal entrance at the west end of Paseo Colón. Behind the statue a 5-meter-tall menorah serves as a gathering place for San José's small Jewish community during Hanukkah. La Sabana was once San José's airport, and the whitewashed Museo de Arte Costarricense, just south of the Cortes statue, served as terminal and control tower. The round Gimnasio Nacional (National Gymnasium) sits at the southeast corner of the park and hosts sporting events and the occasional concert. The Estadio Nacional (National Stadium) near the park's northwest corner is the site of important soccer matches, and is one of the country's major outdoor concert venues. In between are acres of space for soccer, basketball, tennis, swimming, jogging, picnicking, and kite flying. The park hums with activity on weekend days. You're welcome to join in the early-morning, outdoor aerobics classes on Saturday and Sunday. Like most of San José's green spaces, La Sabana should be avoided at night.
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