Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico – Last week, the Municipal Tourism and Economic Development Commission presented a comprehensive plan to revitalize the Isla del Río Cuale to city council members.
Devised in cooperation with the Environment, Property, and Culture commissions, the plan comprises four stages of rehabilitation and improvements to create a green area that offers visitors a pleasing combination of culture, leisure, sports, and recreation.
The president of the commission, councilor María Guadalupe Guerrero Carvajal, indicated that the Rio Cuale Island plays a leading role in the touristic offerings of this destination since it is surrounded by one of the seven rivers that originate in the mountains.
In this context, and due to the importance of this icon of the city, Mayor Arturo Dávalos mentioned that last month, the municipal government, together with the Vallarta Institute of Culture (IVC) and the Isla del Río Cuale Trust, began working to regenerate the Río Cuale Island into an area where nature, culture, sports, and recreation coexist harmoniously.
Marina De Los Santos, head of the IVC, presented the Cuale River Island rescue plan, which includes four stages that guarantee universal access to the space, as well as the creation of different environmentally-friendly areas for the enjoyment of Puerto Vallarta residents and tourists alike.
She reported that the first stage of this comprehensive project, which consists of the rehabilitation and improvement of the main entrance to the island is currently underway, with an investment of 2 million pesos contributed by businessmen and individuals from the area.
De Los Santos specified that the project contemplates the construction of a universal access ramp, wider trails, a bike path, a multipurpose sports court, a children’s play area, and a viewpoint. A designated area for pets, complete with a full-service Animal Welfare Department module, is also planned.
In addition, WIFI internet and ecological lighting will be installed, and all of the commercial premises on the island will be given a facelift and uniformly painted in the same color to blend seamlessly with the natural environment. She pointed out that all of these works will be carried out in an environmentally friendly way.
And, since the island’s natural environment is one of Puerto Vallarta’s greatest attractions, all green spaces will be reforested with trees and plants provided by the Vallarta Botanical Garden. Experts from the University of Guadalajara were consulted to help choose the best species of flora to be planted on the island, since controlled pruning will be carried out on a regular basis.
She said that the businessmen and individuals who donated the resources for this first stage are expected to adopt a space and keep their area in optimal condition. At the same time, she said that the Environment sub-directorate and experts on the subject are working together to create a management plan for the Isla del Río Cuale.
For his part, Wilmar Gemayel Arias Hernández, Head of the Strategic Projects Directorate, disclosed more technical aspects of the work to be carried out in this first stage, which covers about 4,000 of the 16,000 meters to be rehabilitated, which is expected to be completed in three months.
Puerto Vallarta Municipal Government news bulletin translated and edited by María Francesca for BanderasNews.com.
