La Laguna Renovates Long-Closed Park Cafes to Create Jobs for People with Disabilities

La Laguna City Council has begun renovating the cafeterias in La Vega and La Constitución parks, which have been closed since 2016. The Municipal Services department is leading the project to repair the buildings, which had fallen into disrepair after years of abandonment and vandalism.

The goal of this project goes beyond simply reopening the cafes. Councilor Fran Hernández explained that the local government wants to move away from a focus on profit and toward social responsibility. The plan is to award the operation of these cafes to organizations that provide job training and employment for people with disabilities. By doing this, the City Council hopes to turn these neglected spaces into hubs for social inclusion and help those who face the greatest barriers to finding work.

These parks are vital parts of daily life in La Laguna, serving families, athletes, and residents of all ages. Previous attempts to reopen the cafes had stalled due to difficulties in finding a sustainable management model, leaving the buildings in limbo for years. These renovations are the first step toward finding a new operator who can improve the parks' amenities while making a positive impact on the community.

This initiative reflects a growing trend among Spanish local governments to revitalize public spaces by prioritizing social benefits and an inclusive economy. By focusing on accessibility and job creation, the City Council aims to end eight years of inactivity and return these long-neglected facilities to the public.