The renovation of a small plaza set in the median strip that separates the waterfront Malecón from the San Francisco Church has added a stunning bright spot in the heart of downtown Chapala.
The beautification project was carried out as a citizen-based initiative spearheaded by local activists Cristina Flores and Rogelio Ochoa, who roped in dozens of businesses and individual donors to purchase materials and supervised the day-to-day labors of the work crew provided by the municipal government.
The conclusion of the tiny plaza makeover was marked with an inaugural celebration held at sundown on Friday, May 16. The spot has been baptized as El Camino de Natalia, in tribute to the late Natalia Gómez de Cuevas, a distinguished Chapala native who frequently traversed the pathway across the central thoroughfare in her day-to-day life.
Born in 1913, Doña Natalia died in 1998 at the age of 85. Following her marriage to local entrepreneur Luis Cuevas Pimenta, she raised eight children to adulthood, all the while ably aiding her spouse in the management of two of the town’s leading hospitality businesses: the original waterfront Beer Garden Restaurant and the main street Hotel Nido, now adapted as headquarters for the municipal government.
In addition to proving her mettle as an astute businesswoman, Doña Natalia was beloved and respected for her steadfast involvement in philanthropic causes. She was a driving force in community support for Cruz Roja Chapala and the Casa de Ancianos asylum for the elderly, and perpetually devoted herself to activities related to educating the young and sustaining the poor. As far back as the 1950s she stood out as a staunch advocate for the conservation of Lake Chapala, a cause that prompted her to found the non-profit Amigos del Lago in 1990.
The centerpiece of Doña Natalia’s Pathway is the antique cantera stone fountain that has stood at the spot for many years. The piece was fully refurbished, including the tedious task of stripping of a coat white wash that had hidden the natural beauty of the gray volcanic stone and the addition of blue and yellow talavera tile as decorative touches. The same type of tile set in geometric patterns was employed to adorn the cement benches wrapped around the central area.
A new feature of the mini-plaza spot is a mosaic mural depicting local landmarks and scenery. The brightly colored piece was created by Guadalajara artist Rodrigo García Menchaca who took his inspiration from happy childhood memories of exploring Chapala as a vast vacation time playground.
The back side of the mural is embellished with a monotone cement bas-relief sculpture portraying white pelicans in their winter habitat. The work was designed and executed by Ajijic artisans led by Chapala Ecology Department Director Moctezuma Medina.
Embedded nearby is a brass plaque bearing an inscription that translates as, “I discovered happiness in the service to others,” a reflection of Doña Natalia’s humanistic philosophy.
Hanging lamps modeled after traditional basket-style nasa fishing traps are strung from the branches of a tall tree to illuminate the area after dark.
The little plaza has also been endowed with new garden plantings, large flower pots and two typical fishing boats turned into planters, installed in memory of Juanita Reed and Zara Alexeyewa, two foreign settlers who shared Doña Natalia’s passion for the protection and restoration of Mexico’s largest lake.