An ironic and alarming situation is unfolding in Santo Domingo’s Parque Mirador Sur, where a section of the supposedly protected green space has been converted into an unofficial landfill, right next to the very entity tasked with safeguarding public areas, Listin Diario reports. The Public Advocacy and Use of Public Spaces (DUEP) Department, a dependency of the National District City Hall (ADN), has its headquarters situated amidst a growing mountain of scrap metal and debris, turning a once-pristine park area into a junkyard.
Listin Diario reports that the Mirador Sur Park is a protected natural reserve and yet now hosts a mountain of trash and a visible homeless population residing in its caves. The reporter complains about the massive pile of discarded items accumulating near the DUEP’s offices, creating a stark contrast to the park’s natural beauty.
As reported, the discarded items paint a grim picture: awnings, shopping carts, pushcarts, tricycles, display units, zinc sheets, baskets, wheelbarrows, tanks, digital billboards, and traffic signs – it appears that anything broken or unwanted in the city finds its final resting place here.
The growing pile of refuse also poses significant health risks. A coach for a children’s baseball team, who trains at the nearby field and also requested anonymity, warned of potential diseases and mosquito infestations stemming from the accumulated objects.
During a recent visit to the Mirador del Sur Park, Listin Diario reporters received additional complaints from parkgoers. Visitors are united in their demand for the immediate removal of the scrap from the site. Other concerns included the lack of lighting and the risk of robberies during early morning, evening, and nighttime hours.
Park users urge authorities to conduct frequent and sustained cleanup campaigns. As one visitor put it in remarks to the Listin Diario reporters, the Mirador Sur “is a protected area where all citizens enjoy a truly privileged space and it must be protected.”
Read more in Spanish:
Listin Diario
18 June 2025