Guadalajara’s Via RecreActiva celebrated its ninth year last weekend with a series of events that highlighted the huge success of this ground breaking Sunday recreational/exercise program.
Almost 54 million people have taken advantage of the Via RecreActiva – an average of 180,000 cyclists, walkers, runners, skateboarders and skaters each Sunday.
Last Sunday, Guadalajara Mayor Ramiro Hernandez unveiled two commemorative plaques, one in the Revolution Park and the other in the Plaza 18 de Marzo – both important landmarks along the 26.5-kilometer route. The mayor said he hoped to extend the route even further in the near future, possibly by two kilometers to encompass the neighborhoods of Santa Cecilia and Polanco.Started in the municipality of Guadalajara, the Via RecreActiva concept quickly spread to all areas of the metropolitan zone, as well as other towns in Jalisco, including Chapala.
It requires 450 people to ensure that the city’s Via RecreActiva runs smoothly and safely. At least three-quarters of them are young people undertaking their “social service” requirement for obtaining a university degree.
The idea has also taken off around Mexico. A national network is being planned so organizers from cities across the country can share their experiences. Meanwhile, civic group Guadalajara 2020 has submitted a petition to Guadalajara city hall asking for the Avenida Javier-Mina-Juarez-Vallarta-Chapultepec segment of the route to remain open for an additional two or four hours each Sunday.