The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Glasswing International, in coordination with the municipal government of San Salvador Centro, inaugurated the remodeling works in Lincoln Park, located in the district of Mejicanos.
These works are the result of the investment of the IMAGINA Project, promoted by USAID and Glasswing International, which will support more than 5,000 users and residents of the area. The remodeling of the park was carried out in six months and had an investment of more than $150 thousand by USAID and more than $55 thousand by the Mayor’s Office of San Salvador Centro.
The project focused on renovating the park and its visual image, in order to strengthen the sense of belonging, identity and pride among the user communities, in addition to promoting coexistence, neighborhood cohesion and the participation of girls, boys, women, older adults and people with disabilities in the activation of the space. To do so, Glasswing International, USAID’s implementing partner, carried out a consultation process using the “My Ideal Space” methodology, to understand the needs of the communities and use those results as a starting point to design the space.
Based on this process, the works and activities carried out are: (1) installation of two completely new and equipped play areas for girls, boys and young people, street furniture and garbage containers for waste separation; (2) renovation of a multipurpose court and installation of new stands; (3) landscaping, reforestation with local species and creation of pedestrian paths, bicycle paths and restoration of main and secondary accesses; (4) restoration and identification of family area and aerobics zone; (5) creation of access ramp at the main entrance; (6) renovation and expansion of the lighting network within the park, including electrical installations; (7) cultural activation days; (8) installation of signage and messages of care for public space; (9) installation of a perimeter protection fence; (10) creation and training of members of the Public Space Activation and Care Committee.
Likewise, a cultural activation agenda will be carried out with an inclusive approach, seeking to enhance the civic coexistence of users and residents of the area.
The works in Lincoln Park are part of the USAID and Glasswing International IMAGINA Project, which is expected to involve the renovation of a total of 50 public and community spaces, in addition to the renovation of Parque Cuscatlán, with a total investment of $17 million dollars from USAID and a counterpart from the private sector and international foundations of another $17 million. To date, the project has carried out a total of 35 renovations of public spaces, including: Urbanización Colinas del Norte (Ciudad Delgado), Ciclovía Altavista (Tonacatepeque), Villa Mariona 2 (Cuscatancingo), Parque Tikales and Valle Verde 4 (Apopa), among others. Spaces will also be renovated in Aguilares, Apopa, Ilopango, Quezaltepeque and the city of San Miguel.