The Princesa Sofia Park in La Linea ( Cadiz ) has experienced several vicissitudes since its creation in the 1970s . Initially conceived as a compensation for the closure of the border with Gibraltar , the park became an unwieldy liability for the local government when it inherited its management , due to high maintenance costs and the sometimes-unconcealed pressure of other interests .
In its early years , Princess Sophia Park was a cherished place for local people , a forest park with lush gardens and lakes inhabited by ducks , guinea fowl and rabbits . It also became a resting point for migratory birds crossing the Strait of Gibraltar . Mainly due to lack of funds , caused a decline in its condition by the lack of maintenance and the park became a haven for malpractices of all kinds , losing its original appeal .
There were several attempts to solve this problem , finally a reform was carried out that completely changed the appearance from a forest area to a quasi-African palm grove , where much of the vegetation was eliminated and where there was a predominance of areas of sand that in hot weather were not very pleasant . Although some problems were solved , new ones arose .
In the 2010s , the park ' s abandonment reached alarming levels . It became a dumping ground for garbage and debris , a place for botellón , and the park was divided into four parts by internal roads , to facilitate thinly veiled intentions of urbanization . However , this situation awakened the conscience of a part of society , which began to form associations to save the park . Shock cleanups , pruning groups , and small associations were organized to take on the management and recovery of different parts of the park .
These efforts included the creation of the Asociación Canina Parque Princesa Sofía , the skatepark , the Donors ' area and the group Los Locos x El Parque . In particular , the volunteers of the latter group were dedicated to reforesting , cleaning and enhancing the park ' s flora , fauna and ornithology . In addition , they organized visits by students and associations for the elderly and disabled . Their tireless work also generated pressure on politicians to take action and change their attitude towards this place . All this in an altruistic way .
We are currently very hopeful about the upcoming major rehabilitation of the Princesa Sofia that the city council is going to start , the most important part of which will undoubtedly be the recovery of the lagoons , which will positively influence the ecology and social vision of the park , attract visitors , and benefit the city economically , which is no small thing .
Throughout its history , the Princess Sofia Park has faced financial challenges and management problems , but thanks to the dedication of these groups and associations , it has managed to preserve and improve the park , and in recent terms , we must thank the great involvement of the city council , resulting in a clear change of image , which is also the image of the city to be in an area where millions of tourists pass each year to Gibraltar . Currently , Los Locos x El Parque and other groups remain committed to the struggle for the continuous improvement of this valuable green area , which , properly managed , can become a focal point not only ecological , but social and economic for a people so needy .
OTWO 48 / JULY 2023 91