Parque General San Martin

The 1861 Mendoza earthquake left the city affected by epidemics of diphtheria, cholera, and measles. These and other public health challenges figured prominently in the plans formulated for the city's reconstruction by the Minister of Works and Utilities, Emilio Civit. Civit drafted Provincial Law No. 3, which provided for a reforestation program as part of a flood control plan, as well as other improvements. Following numerous delays, Law No. 19 was signed by Governor Juan Cornelio Moyano to that effect on December 6, 1896. The bill earmarked the creation of the Parque del Oeste, a "Western Park", and commissioned the noted French Argentine landscape architect Carlos Thays for its design. Thays was responsible for other important Argentine parks such as Ninth of July Park, Sarmiento Park, Parque Tres de Febrero, and Nahuel Huapi National Park.

Construction of this park sparked controversy among governing and opposition politicians in Mendoza. Governor Moyano stated that the project address public health weaknesses that persisted after the quake, while the opposition argued that this large-scale construction sought only elitist purposes, and that with a smaller amount of money major deficiencies of the day such as a lack of sewers, waterworks, and irrigation ditches could be overcome. The park proved beneficial to the Greater Mendoza in the long term, however, resulting in significantly improved air quality in the area, and well as greater investment higher real estate values.