Puerto de la Cruz Urban Gardens Spark High Demand, Selection Process Underway
Puerto de la Cruz is experiencing overwhelming resident interest in its new urban garden plots, prompting the city council to prepare for a selection process managed by a specialized firm.
Residents are eager to get their hands on plots in Puerto de la Cruz's new urban gardens, with calls, emails, and visits to the City Council flooding in. This interest has surged since the project's announcement, especially now that the two garden sites are ready. Located on Luis Rodríguez Figueroa street in the Los Cachazos area and within the La Quintana urbanization, both plots are fenced and have water access, essential for starting cultivation.
Councillor for Sustainable City and Citizen Participation, David Hernández, acknowledged the high demand. "I know people want to sign up, but there will be a selection process," he explained. The council is currently in the process of hiring a company to manage the gardens, inviting specialized firms for this role. Hernández stressed that the chosen company must have experience in managing and revitalizing urban gardens, not just in agriculture.
The management company will be responsible for creating a waiting list, establishing rules for garden use, and preparing everything needed for planting.
"The contract will be awarded this year, and our first priority will be selecting users. We aim to allocate the plots by the first quarter of next year," Hernández stated. He added that several criteria will be used for selection. A portion of the plots will be set aside for groups using them for therapeutic or community projects, as well as for residents living nearby and social service users. "This initiative offers not only economic benefits for families but also psychosocial advantages, allowing people in an urban setting to connect more with nature," the councillor highlighted.
With the launch of these 48 garden plots, the Puerto de la Cruz City Council is making a significant move towards a more equitable, sustainable, and community-driven city. This project strongly supports healthy eating, sustainable development, and better use of urban space.
"These gardens will be more than just places to grow food; they will become vibrant spaces for neighbours to meet, for environmental education, and as a response to the climate crisis," he added.
While the Sustainable City department is considering expanding urban gardens to other areas of the municipality, David Hernández prefers to first assess the success of these initial two sites.