Garachico Begins Transformation of El Volcán Slope Into Public Viewpoint
Construction has begun on a €100,000 project to transform a neglected slope in Garachico into a public recreation space and viewpoint following a two-year administrative delay.
Work has finally begun on transforming the slope leading to the El Volcán neighborhood in Garachico, turning a neglected transit area into a new public recreation space. According to El Día, the project is backed by a €100,000 grant from the Canary Islands government, awarded as part of an initiative to support the country’s most beautiful villages.
The six-month construction project follows a lengthy administrative delay. Although the funding was approved in April 2024, the start date was pushed back by nearly two years due to disagreements with the Tenerife Island Council’s Heritage Department. While the Council favored a "green facade" landscaping approach, the project managers opted for a viewpoint design that requires less maintenance. This new space will feature street furniture and connect directly to the pedestrian path used by students from the nearby CEIP Antonio del Valle Menéndez and IES Garachico Alcalde Lorenzo Dorta schools.
The site, which dates back to the 1970s, has never undergone a major renovation, with previous work limited to minor repairs after small landslides. To move the project forward, the regional government used a direct grant, citing public interest to bypass the standard competitive bidding process.
The project marks a significant change in how this vertical space is managed. By replacing much of the existing vegetation with a leisure platform and a balcony overlooking the Cristóbal de Ponte road, the design aims to make the area more functional and accessible. While some greenery will remain at the base of the wall, the primary goal is to improve the aesthetics, safety, and usability of this busy entrance to the San José neighborhood.