La Punta skate park fundraising campaign has 600,000-peso goal

The Parque Guajes skate park at La Punta is entering the construction phase, but organizers need more funds to proceed.

The park’s organizing committee has set up a Kickstarter fundraising drive with the goal of raising 600,000 pesos (US $31,900) in 30 days.

Parque Guajes is designed for the recreation and development of local and visiting children and youths.

So far, 200 square meters of facilities have been built by local and visiting volunteers, and through donations and a tequio, or volunteer work. Now, its promoters are appealing for the support of the entire country and even abroad to be able to move into the next phase of the project.

Park committee member Gabriel Reyes told the newspaper El Imparcial that the dream of building a skatepark was born several years ago when friends from Puerto and abroad settled in the town. The spark that ignited it was the need to have a place for children and youths aside from the beaches.

The dream began to take shape two years ago, first with the creation of a civil society and then with the donation of an 1,800-square-meter piece of land by the municipal government.

“The fundraising campaign is the most ambitious because in 30 days we have to raise 600,000 pesos to make a 100% skateable section, and people can start using the park,” said Reyes.

This first stage or section will be built this year so that local and visiting children can enjoy the park. 

The park has always been focused on the local community, Reyes added, as Puerto Escondido has few public spaces. “Yes, the beach is cool, but sometimes the children need other places or develop different skills,” he said.

The donation drive ends on Feb. 25, and so far, four days after starting, it has raised 32,500 pesos.

With reports from El Imparcial