--- title: El Charco del Ingenio -LANDETA PARK date: 2016-05-12T23:52:44Z source: http://elcharco.org.mx/Ingles/parque.html tags: mexico, trip ---   | Parque Landeta covers a little more than 35 hectares to the east of the Botanical Garden, on both sides of the historical Las Colonias Reservoir. The land belongs to the municipality but was not used for any particular purpose until 1993, when it was granted to the Charco del Ingenio in order to create and develop an ecological and recreational park, much needed by the city of San Miguel de Allende. Since 2005, the park has been integrated into the [Ecological Preservation Zone][1] of the Charco del Ingenio, created by a municipal accord, in order to better protect its dry scrubland and wetland ecosystems. |   |   | During the 15 years of managing the Park, the Botanical Garden built a basic infrastructure: fences, gates, signs, plazas, picnic areas, roads for vehicles and paths for hikers. We have likewise carried out the work of clearing, conservation of soils, improving of the condition of the vegetation and protection of plant and animal wildlife. Several thousand trees have been planted over the years, and the native plants of the area have recovered surprisingly well. The constant vigilance within the park has made it safe for users, inhibiting vandalism and the proliferation fires, which are so devastating for the ecosystem. The Municipal Plant Nursery is also located within the park, as well as a plant for the treatment of waste-water through artificial wetland technology (in construction). Historically, the park has been a place that local people use for walks and picnics, especially in the meadows and along the banks of the Las Colonias Reservoir. In recent years, the area has become a community-oriented space, being the site of a large popular celebration that takes place every year at the beginning of July: the Fiesta de la Santa Cruz (Festival of the Holy Cross) of El Charco del Ingenio. Diverse environmental education [_activities][2]_ take place in Parque Landeta, carried out by El Charco del Ingenio nonprofit organization and by _PEASMA_ (Environmental Education Program of San Miguel de Allende), particularly on  special days such as Earth Day (April 22) and World Environment Day (June 5). |   | [1]: zona.html [2]: actividades.html