 On August 18, 1971, Friendship Park was inaugurated by First Lady Pat Nixon as a symbol of binational friendship, when it was declared a national monument.Until 1994, there was only a simple barbed wire fence, and Americans and Mexicans could meet on the border under the supervision of the U.S. Border Patrol.Various social events have taken place in this park, including yoga classes, religious services, weddings, dances and baptisms.