The Parque Metropolitano, Guadalajara’s largest park, has matured gracefully over the last quarter of a century, settling comfortably into its role as a green sanctuary amid a largely concrete city that many planners say has reached its outer limit, with the only way forward, upward.
For a park that draws fitness fans in droves, its 25th birthday fiesta last weekend was highly appropriate. Hundreds of runners participated in a a celebratory race around the park’s pristine paths, most of which are just about wide enough to also accommodate walkers (with and without dogs) and cyclists.
Another birthday event was the opening of a new conservation space, aptly named the “Bosque ¼ de Siglo.” Eager adults and children ceremoniously planted 25 young Michoacan pines in the dedicated eco-area, which contains benches, colorful trash cans, a perimeter barrier and a “ranch-style” entrance gate.
The new space is close to the recently opened Metrocan, a popular area where canines can roam free and test their motor skills on a range of activities.
More innovations are to come. Next up for opening is the long-awaited 2.5-hectare artificial lake – costing 18 million pesos and 75 percent complete, say park officials.
The evolution of the park into Guadalajara’s premier green space could hardly have been envisioned when it began life 25 years ago. Expropriated from the Jocotan ejido by the Jalisco government in 1989, the 124-hectare area immediately became a political football. While some greedy politicians saw another means of making profits from residential development, others recognized the need for the metro area to increase its park spaces. A protracted battle subsequently waged between conservationists and Jalisco Governor Guillermo Cosio Viduarri, who had bought into plans to create a municipal golf course in the area. In fact, work on the golf course progressed to such a extent that the original layouts of several tree-lined fairways and tees are clearly visible in the current park. Cosio was forced to abandon his plans after pressure from citizens who argued correctly that a public park would benefit many more people than a golf course.
The government did manage to make some money on the deal, however, selling off a small slither of the park for new sub-divisions, as well five hectares to the Universidad Panamericana. And in 2010, eight hectares were of the park were swallowed up to construct the tennis and swimming centers for the 2011 Pan American Games.
The lack of mature trees, proper maintenance and financing was a handicap in the park’s formative years, but the outlook improved as authorities slowly began to recognize the huge advantages the park held for city dwellers.
Reforestation, better budgets and the hiring of experienced staff to maintain and run the park has helped its development in recent years. At the last count, the Parque Metropolitano has 23,000 trees (28 species), an annual budget of 13 million pesos and 62 full-time employees. Almost 40 percent of the park is now irrigated with automatic, underground system – a figure that will increase to 100 percent by 2018.
Fortunately, the dedicated barbecue zones, children’s activities and fitness installations have been judiciously distributed so as not to spoil the integrity of the park. Its office and operational area includes a nursery with an eco-trail (Sendero Ecologico Didactico) to educate children, and offers a full range of full-time and summer courses.
Many charming old trees uprooted during fierce storms have been cordoned off and turned into special displays. Neither does the smattering of sculptures in any way mar the ambience. The food and drink concession zones, toilets and bike rental sheds near the park’s entrance are perhaps the only unsightly features of Parque Metropolitano, but they do serve an important function for the 10,000 visitors on weekdays, and 25,000 on weekends.
Visitors to the park can enjoy weekly open-air movie showings, and many kinds of sporting events are planned throughout the year. A special area has been constructed for skateboarders, and small-size synthetic and grass soccer pitches have been constructed in the Metrogol facility located to the Avenida Vallarta side of the park.
There is no charge to enter the Parque Metropolitano. It is open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. The main entrance is located at the intersection of Beethoven and Calle Independencia in Colonia La Estancia.
For more information go to www.parquemetropolitano.com.mx.