Former theme park site becomes a space for youth expression! A cultural park in Mexico where you can enjoy graffiti and skating

Come to Japan and experience this store and this service! This time, we will introduce a cultural park built on the site of a former theme park in Mexico.

photo: Hisako Tanaka / text: Miho Nagaya / edit: Hiroko Yabuki

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Three points

1. Safe and secure, it is managed 24 hours a day by the Ministry of Culture.
2. Feel free to draw graffiti inside the facility.
3.Frequent skating competitions and cultural events are held.

Former theme park site becomes cultural park supporting youth expression!

©Natalia Vela

Located in a corner of Chapultepec, one of the largest urban forest parks in the Americas, the ruins of a water park that closed in 2007 were a dangerous place where illegal activities were rampant. However, it also served as a place of expression for local young people, who painted graffiti and enjoyed skating. Capitalizing on this potential, the Mexican government renovated the park in 2023 into a public park for street culture, creating Parcur.

The former large and small pools have been transformed into a skate park where official competitions can be held. The dolphin show venue has been transformed into a live performance stage, making use of the bleachers. The park is graffiti-friendly. In addition to skating, there are practice areas for parkour, BMX, rappelling, and aerial dance, and workshops are held, including for children. Events such as competitions, bazaars, and concerts are also planned every two weeks, making the park a place that can be enjoyed by families and people of all ages.

Luis Mera Armijo, Program Manager, who has been involved in the project since its inception, says, "In some public parks run with taxpayers' money, there has been corruption when companies rent out the park for paid events, but that's not the case here. Anyone with passion, a dream, and a DIY spirit can bring in an event plan. And of course, there's no admission fee." Parkur is a successful example of a government-led project reviving forgotten heritage for the community.

The park, which is over 2 hectares in size, is close to a high school and attracts 200 to 300 visitors on weekdays. When events are held, over 1,000 people gather. The police provide 24-hour security.

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