Fifty million pesos were invested by Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources in the first phase of the project renovation of the National Botanical Garden, an initiative that includes improvements in infrastructure, security and services for visitors.
In an activity dedicated to learning everything about the work that was and will continue to be carried out at the Botanical Garden, the Minister of the Environment, Armando Paíno Henríquez, explained that the plan called “New Botanical”, seeks to modernize different areas of the park without affecting public access.
“We have started a renovation process that we have called (The New Botanical) but it is basically to improve the infrastructure of the entire park, for the improvement of the thousands and thousands of visitors who visit this park daily. lung of the National Districthe expressed.
Among the works carried out in this first stage are the remodeling of the main entrance, the construction of a medical dispensary to attend to emergencies for both staff and visitors, the rehabilitation of bathrooms and the improvement of spaces for activities and events.
According to the words of the official in his speech, the total amount for all phases of the project is RD$250 million and includes the intervention of pavilions that have not been remodeled for decades, the improvement of the herbarium and the recovery of a ravine that crosses the park and that has generated complaints about bad odors and pollution.
In the development and construction of these works, the visits and activities created in the Botanical Garden will not be affected, since alternate accesses have been enabled and the preparation of the work has been planned to maintain the normal functioning of the Garden.
As a preview, the Minister of the Environment reported that a security office will be built with an internal and external video surveillance system, as well as the renewal of lighting on trails and recreation areas to reinforce the safety of users.
For its part, the general director of the National Botanical Garden, Pedro Nolasco Suárezhighlighted that this is the most extensive intervention carried out in the park since its inauguration.
According to Suarez, these improvements include the modernization of the dome for events, with new acoustic and air conditioning conditions, as well as the fitting out of the medical dispensary, a need identified due to the nature of the work carried out within the institution.
About the expansion of República de Colombia Avenue
Regarding the possible expansion of República de Colombia Avenue, which has generated concern among environmentalist sectors, the official reiterated that he maintains the position previously expressed by President Luis Abinader.
“The president once said that the Botanical Garden should not be touched. I limit myself to that and that’s what we are in,” he said.
The director also reported that, due to the improvements that are being made, some of the services and spaces offered by the Botanical Garden could experience adjustments in their rates to contribute to the maintenance of the new facilities.
The cost of these possible fees is unknown at this time.
