Costa Rica will soon have three urban nature parks in San José’s Greater Metropolitan Area, announced Minister of Environment and Energy Franz Tattenbach. The sites selected for this project are the former Simon Bolivar Zoo in San Jose, the Lorne Ross Conservation Center in Santa Ana and the former INBioparque in Santo Domingo. The designation of these spaces seeks to enrich the green areas within urban zones, favoring the connection between the city and the environment.

Official protection for green spaces in San José

The concept of urban natural park in Costa Rica was introduced under Executive Decree 42742-MINAE, effective February 24, 2021. These parks are intended for urban territories with significant scenic, biological, recreational and ecotourism value, with the purpose of conserving biodiversity in the urban context.

urban nature parks
urban nature parks

Through an executive decree, we will give these areas the official category of urban natural parks. This classification will protect these spaces by integrating them into the category of protected wilderness areas, even though they are located in the city. Such a step is crucial to prevent the development of projects in these areas in the future.

Franz Tattenbach

As well, Tattenbach mentioned that there are plans to apply this management model in three more parks: the Santa Ana Conservation Center, also known as Lorne Ross, on partially donated land, and the former INBioparque, currently under the administration of the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC). The Simón Bolívar will be the first to complete its transformation due to the progress made in the process.

Urban nature parks: a model that strengthens tourism

After the closure of the Simón Bolívar Zoo, the authorities have reoriented the space to turn it into a place where the population can interact with nature, giving priority to conservation.

With this initiative, we intend for this space to become a public meeting point that promotes biodiversity conservation and allows citizens to reconnect with nature

Diego Miranda, mayor of San José.

The urban nature parks model will be expanded nationwide, giving more residents access to nature within cities. Authorities are confident that this strategy will strengthen tourism, boost conservation, and serve as an educational tool for both the local population and visitors.

Sensorial Sunsets