On July 19th, Puerto’s Downtown Waterfront Park Was Dubbed “Parque Ecologico”

The waterfront park in Puerto Armuelles is being transformed.

Not only are new railings being constructed as I write, but it is part of an ecological recycling project.

School Recycling Beautifies Park

Puerto Armuelles’ San Vicente Elementary School

has created play structures, furniture, and planters from old tires.  It is part of its recycling program.

With no help from any organization or government entity, this elementary school has developed its own recycling program. I commend the students and the

The tires add playful color to the park

principal for making it happen.

However, my heart sank when I first saw all the tire structures put up in the park.  But it is amazing what a fun and colorful paint job can do to tires.  I am pleasantly surprised by the cheerful effect.

Panama’s Bandera Azul Program

The school did get the support for the park project from Panama’s Bandera Azul program which supports environmental awareness projects.  It is promoted  by Panama’s  First Lady and administered by ANAM, Panama’s National Environmental Authority.

ANAM was here in Puerto on July 19th to celebrate the structures the children had created by repurposing  old tires.

Re-Construction of Beach Railings

Alberto Carbono and Reyn talk railings in front of what remains of the old railings, rusted rebar.

Coincidentally, the beach or park railings are being redone.  As you can see in the photos here and the photo gallery below; they were way past repair.

My family and I  go to the park often; 2 to 4 times a week. In the last year or so the railings have disintegrated at an astonishing rate.

We often shared our concern over the condition of the park with our friend,  Alberto Carbono, of the nearby Don Carlos restaurant.  Each of us wanted to do something to help fix it up.  Neither of us could drum up enough money to finance the railing project.

Seeking Donations

Then a few weeks ago, the local community started to donate money.  It started as a trickle, but it is gaining momentum.

Just last week, Diputado Osman Gómez (a local politician) donated $500.  Now the railings are being built at a rapid rate.

The goal is to replace all 50 of the beach railings.

The cost per section of railing is $125,

Please consider donating to help buy rebar, paint, cement and labor so all 50 railing can be rebuilt.

Give your donations to Alberto Carbono, at the Don Carlos Restaurant located in front of the park.

Short History of Park

The park is particularly special to Alberto.  Not only was he was instrumental in the getting the park and the sea wall built about 15 years ago; but the park is also named after his father, Carlos Alberto Carbono. (See the photo at the top of this page).

His father also started the restaurant across the street from the Park, He named it after himself, Don Carlos.   Alberto and his mother still run that restaurant.

If you go to his restaurant, ask to see the scrapbook Alberto put together detailing the process of getting the seawall and park constructed.   It was done in the last years of Chiquita; but without Chiquita’s help.