Tenerife Residents Lead Grassroots Restoration of Neglected Tourist Complex

Residents of Costa del Silencio in Arona, Tenerife, have taken matters into their own hands to combat the administrative neglect affecting their neighborhood. Because the local government has failed to take over the Ten-Bel tourist complex—a site with over 60 years of history—the area had fallen into a state of disrepair. Left with no other choice, locals have organized themselves to restore their community.

The movement began in September 2023, when resident Hannelore Ottevaere used social media to rally a small group of neighbors to clean up a neglected area near the Chayofita development. What started as a simple effort to clear away trash and debris has grown over the last three years into a formal association, "Costa del Silencio Limpio," now boasting 50 volunteers from various backgrounds.

The group has been instrumental in reviving Damon Park, which was once a symbol of the area's decline. Beyond basic cleanup, the volunteers have launched palm tree adoption programs, built an outdoor library, and installed waste stations for dog owners. The association operates independently, funding its own machinery and liability insurance through private donations, local business support, and charity events.

This situation highlights a broader issue across the Canary Islands, where private tourist complexes are often left unmaintained, leaving residents in a legal gray area where local authorities refuse to intervene. By dedicating several days a week to pruning, painting, and repairs, these volunteers have done more than just improve the physical landscape; they have revitalized the neighborhood’s social spirit. Having now surpassed 1,000 days of continuous work, the group continues to restore public spaces, proving that community action can fill the void left by ineffective local government.