Puerto Vallarta’s mayor has presented the Laguna del Coapinole Ecological Park project to link green spaces and sports facilities, boost sustainable mobility and improve urban health.
Puerto Vallarta Mayor Luis Ernesto Munguía González has introduced the preliminary plan for the Laguna del Coapinole Ecological Park, to be built north of the city in the El Pitillal district. The proposed natural corridor will tie together several key recreational sites: the Alfonso Díaz Santos Sports Complex, the La Lija Sports and Cultural Center and the CTM Cycling Center for the Arts sports fields.
The mayor stressed that the investment will combine federal and state funds with private-sector participation. “We are seeking funding and working toward its implementation,” he said. “We expect to present it to the Federation and the State by 2026. This lagoon project will move forward in stages.” By involving local businesses and investors, the city aims to promote sustainable mobility, improve urban connectivity and reduce polluting emissions—factors that directly benefit public health.
Next, the plan calls for an ecological and recreational corridor that blends sport, culture and nature. The Alfonso Díaz Santos Sports Complex in La Bobadilla will link to Coapinole Lagoon, where ecotourism facilities and services will rise alongside restored natural habitats. The design incorporates sanitation measures to address the lagoon’s contamination and safeguards the native species that still survive there. From Coapinole, visitors will follow a green trail north to La Lija, then onward to the La Colmena development near the CTM fields.
Coapinole Lagoon has suffered neglect in recent years. A few years ago, it dried up for the first time in living memory, forcing officials to pump water back in via pipes. Its last major renovation came in 1996, under Mayor Fernando González Corona, when authorities cleaned the water, built a boardwalk, benches, parks and gardens. Today, those features need urgent maintenance. The new project will revive the lagoon’s ecosystem and upgrade recreational infrastructure for residents and visitors alike.
Munguía González envisions this project as a multi-phase effort. He said the city will secure the remaining resources over the next 18 months, with initial works aiming to restore water quality and shorelines. “Once we finish the sanitation work, we will install boardwalks, lighting and shade structures,” he explained. “Then we’ll move on to landscaping, public art and play areas. We’ll roll out each segment as funding allows.”
A key partner in this vision is DIF Jalisco, which promotes the La Colmena social complex adjacent to the CTM sports site. That joint state-city initiative will deliver sports facilities, auditoriums, training workshops and services for vulnerable populations. Officials plan programs tailored to people with disabilities, women and seniors, offering physical activity classes, job skills training and holistic support. DIF Jalisco will operate the complex, ensuring ongoing community outreach and inclusive programming.
By linking sports, ecology and social services, the Laguna del Coapinole Ecological Park project aims to transform a forgotten corner of Puerto Vallarta into a vibrant hub. It promises cleaner air, safer pedestrian routes and new green jobs. For El Pitillal residents, it offers easy access to regional amenities. For the city as a whole, it strengthens connections between north and south, easing traffic pressures while expanding healthy-living options. If all goes to plan, Coapinole will soon become both a restored landmark and a model for sustainable urban growth.
Puerto Vallarta’s mayor has presented the Laguna del Coapinole Ecological Park project to link green spaces and sports facilities, boost sustainable mobility and improve . . .
