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Jose Jasan Nieves and Elizabeth Perez
A natural space all along the last part of Almendares River highlights today for its options in direct contact with nature.
The Great Metropolitan Park from Havana (GPMH) is one of the nature’s bends in the Cuban capital where there are areas in the open air available for the families, organizations and staffs to celebrate their activities. There are artistic performances, activities for children and even conventions of those fans to Japanese cartoons or practice of extreme sports.
“This park is different from the rest we have in the city with nine communities inside its area,” said Mercedes
Arango Hernandez, deputy director responsible of the activities in this complex. “So we constantly need to take care of the cleaning in the area constantly, in favor to the environment.”
Just a few days for the celebration of the 495 anniversary of the foundation of the San Cristobal Villa of Havana, environmental education will be one of the main activities of the GPHM.
The park is a natural lung that has been in a process of cleaning up for more than a decade, but there is still much more needed.
The flora and fauna diversity of the park has grown, but there is still contamination in the river,” said the technical director Maria Bianchi. She stressed the waters can either be used in the toilet, neither eat fishes from the river.”
To help forestation, several plants have been sown.
“We are not pretending these trees be used in carpentry. The only one will be the Bambusa for artisans.”
Folklore and nature
One of the most peculiar scenes you can see in the paths of the wood is the celebration of religious ceremonies like the bright and colorful “violin for Oshun,” deity of the sweet water that receives many offers of those believers from Havana.
“We are approaching those believers to have them understand the consequences to leave those dead animals; offers in pots made of mud in the open are with candles lighted and also nylon bags. The problem is not forbid those practices, but watch out not to damage the environment,” said Diaz Serrano.
“We have talked with the leaders of the Yoruba Association and they understand and support our worry. But some religious people that come to this park are not members of that organization and they do not accept our explications.”
These practices are dangerous for health. Sometimes the rituals demands to take a bath in the river and we have forbidden it for its contamination.
“At present, Cubans and tourists can walk in the wood with no problem,” Arango said. “Thanks to the help of the authorities, it is at present a nice place to walk and go camping appreciating the river and nature. Being so calm, people can enjoy the options for the celebration of the 495 birthday of the Cuban capital, so they have foreseen an interaction with nature.
“There was a gift on November 16 A concert by Liuba Maria Hevia. We can also see every Sunday Dog trainers there.
There is a bus that picks up people from Lenon Park on Saturdays to tour the Metropolitan Park, it continues to the Tropical Gardens and a cultural and its art center, the Park’s model and then it goes to the National Botanic Garden. For reservations you can call 881 9979,” the official said.
Here are some photos from the park as courtesy from the staff of this facility for you to enjoy it.
