This week, the Sonoran government started work to restore an abandoned theme park and nearby wetland.
Once a popular recreation area for Hermosillo families, Parque La Saucedahas been in disuse for more than a decade. For years, activists have been pushing local and state leaders to restore the theme park and reforest a neighboring wetland area as a city park.
This week, the first phase of that restoration is getting underway.
"The objective is that, once we've concluded the restoration process that starts today, is to give Hermosillo a park at the level of the Chapultepec park in Mexico City," Gov. Alfonso Durazo said Sunday, referring to the massive, iconic park in the nation's capital. "Here we will have recreation areas, areas for events, to have concerts."
He said La Sauceda will also be part of an urban forest meant to reduce heat in the center of the city.
The first phase of restoration is expected to take about three months and will include installing a drip irrigation system, gardens, lighting, bathrooms and other maintenance work.
