July 14, 2023
©UNOPS/Chris Umaña
The new facilities feature the country's best skatepark, a multi-purpose futsal, basketball, and volleyball court, over 1.9 kilometers of bike paths, trails, and extensive green areas.
97 thousand people will enjoy eight hectares of park and top-notch sports spaces.
After nine months of construction, the first stage of the Park for Human Development in the canton of Alajuelita (PDHA) was inaugurated last Friday with a formal event and sports exhibitions at the new recreational facilities located in Tejarcillos, in San Felipe de Alajuelita.
This project from the Ministry of Culture and Youth (MCJ), managed by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), will benefit more than 97,000 people living in the canton by offering an eight-hectare space with modern sports facilities, a multi-use court for futsal, basketball, and volleyball; a three-level skatepark considered the best in the country, and more than 1.9 kilometers of bike paths, trails, and wide green areas.
©UNOPS/Chris Umaña
The inauguration of the new park was led by the Minister of Culture and Youth, Nayuribe Guadamuz Rosales; the Deputy Minister of Health, Dr. Esteban Vega de la O; the mayor of Alajuelita, Modesto Alpízar; and the UNOPS Representative in the country, Martín Arévalo de León.
"For the Ministry of Culture and Youth, it is an honor to deliver such an important work to this canton for its inhabitants. Investing in culture is one of the main objectives of this administration. We hope that the community positively embraces this wonderful space and that it also becomes part of the processes of coordination to promote the development of cultural programs jointly: community, local government, and central government; a virtuous circle to achieve the success of these efforts," stated Nayuribe Guadamuz Rosales, Minister of Culture and Youth.
The park's design promotes a resilient, sustainable, and inclusive environment for the healthy enjoyment of people and the connection of communities. That's why it also includes six squares, three pedestrian bridges, a rainwater evacuation system, drinking water systems for the supply of drinking fountains, an asphalted vehicle parking area, and a lighting system for all components of the works.
©UNOPS/Chris Umaña
During the official ceremony, the Deputy Minister of Health, Esteban Vega de la O, stated that this park reaffirms the current administration's commitment to promoting healthy spaces for the country's most vulnerable people. "This project, which the inhabitants of Alajuelita have awaited for many years, is today a reality thanks to the leadership of the Ministry of Culture and Youth, which assumed it with passion and commitment. In nine months, we saw a vacant lot turn into this beautiful park that will bring health and well-being to the community," he said.
A noteworthy aspect of the Park is its inclusive design and construction. The paths are equipped with tactile paving to guide visually impaired individuals throughout the entire route, with over 90% of the pathways compliant with Law 7600, ensuring that people in wheelchairs can enjoy the recreational areas. Additionally, game tables were added for the enjoyment of older adults, and there was a children's play area where a swing was integrated into each setup so that children with disabilities could also have fun.
"As with all our projects, in the Park for Human Development of the canton of Alajuelita, we have ensured that local communities participate in the management of the construction process so that they become integrated into the initiative and take ownership of their space because we are confident that this park will truly contribute to improving the quality of life in the canton and is a clear contribution to the 2030 Agenda," stated Martín Arévalo, UNOPS Representative in Costa Rica.
©UNOPS/Chris Umaña
The Human Development Park of Alajuelita was built under standards of efficiency, profitability, innovation, integrity, and transparency. The savings generated during the construction phase, which lasted nine months, were invested in acquiring additional furniture for the recreation of the girls and boys of the canton.
From the inauguration date, the Municipality of Alajuelita will take over the management of the Park. Through an inter-institutional collaboration agreement signed last June, the legal framework is established for the MCJ to transfer the administration, management, and operation of the PDHA to the local Municipality for five years, which can be extended. This will ensure safety for visitors, and consolidate proper administration and safeguarding of the installed infrastructure, including the maintenance and cleaning of green areas.
"This first stage represents a lot of effort from almost 8 years and is part of our commitment to our children, youth, and elderly, providing spaces for healthy recreation, and today we see it materialized with this first stage. That's why we call on the community to enjoy but also take care of this space, because we need it to be maintained over time," stated Modesto Alpízar, the Municipal Mayor.
©UNOPS/Chris Umaña
The Ministry of Culture and Youth will coordinate with the Local Government to ensure that the programming offer is in line with the current regulatory framework and the Local Culture Policy of Alajuelita. Additionally, it will contribute to the programming offered following formal requests and institutional feasibility.
earn more about the social impact of this project in the following video 👉