Parque Landeta: A natural Community Space

Published August 3, 2021

Located in the preservation area of El Charco del Ingenio, this magnificent natural space comprises about 35 hectares of wooded slopes around the wetland of Las Colonias reservoir. The property, owned by the municipality, was delivered by a lease in 1993 to the Botanical Garden for the establishment and management of a public park and Arboretum. With the collaboration of local groups, such as Audubon, more than 2 thousand trees were planted in subsequent years. But the main goal was the restoration of the ecosystem through land and moisture retention works, as well as the rehabilitation of existing trees –especially mezquites and huizaches, whose populations were devastated by chopping down, over grazing and recurrent fires. In a short time it became a natural and recreational destination for the people of San Miguel de Allende.

Unfortunately, the restoration program was interrupted in 2009, when the municipal government cancelled the lease held with the Botanical Garden. Without attention by the authorities, the Landeta Park has suffered abandonment and deterioration –despite having been included in El Charco del Ingenio preservation area since 2006 and notwithstanding the recent judgment that avoided land reduction and use of soil changes throughout the whole ecological area.

But here is the surprise: In recent years, thanks to an unexpected civil initiative, groups of residents, both Mexicans and foreigners, have taken over the park through garbage collection, signage placement, tree sanitation and other actions aimed to revalue the area as a community park –with the support of the Botanical Garden’s staff. Nowadays the park users reflect a new environmental consciousness, respecting flora and fauna and maintaining the integrity of Landeta Park.