Recycling – Lima Style

Conserving the environment and recycling has become a major focus among countries around the globe, and Peru is no exception. As populations increase on every continent and the space to support those individuals begins to run out, major cities are beginning to step up their efforts to recycle and reuse everything they can. By doing this, these cities allow their populations to experience cleaner, more enjoyable outdoor spaces, and Lima’s done a great job with one of its parks.

This past February, Basurama, a recycling-focused group that was founded in 2001, began a project to convert ruins from an electric train in Lima to a small park. The ruins are the remnants of a project for lima transportation that was abandoned in 1986 – the project aimed to build the railway for an electric train, but when it was cancelled, the concrete columns for the base of the rails were left standing at the construction spot. Viewing these cement pillars as a potential site for a Lima park rather than a manmade eyesore, Basurama took the lead in converting this area into a beautiful, multi-colored landscape that features numerous activities for children and their families. The park contains swings of all shapes and sizes, zip lines and a plethora of other things to do. And the cement pillars that were once a dismal shade of grey? They now each sport a variety of bright, beautiful colors that give this new park a fresh air of freshness and relaxation.

As expected, the park provides a great spot for families of all ages to spend time with one another and with other Lima residents. The combination of painted colors and now-welcoming pillars creates a unique blend of the urban and rural - a spot where people with all interests can relax and enjoy what Lima has to offer. Due to its one-of-a-kind design and construction history, the park also promises to be a great spot for any tourist that’s arriving to visit Peru’s capital city. So next time you’re in Lima, make sure to stop by this new spot; it’s a wonderful example of Lima’s focus on conserving the landscape, and you’re sure to enjoy the zip lines.