On 18 June 2025, President Luis Abinader joined capital city Mayor Carolina Mejia for the official start of the Malecon Deportivo from Av. Núñez de Cáceres to Av. Luperon, the major recreational project along Santo Domingo’s waterfront, expected to be completed in early 2026—just in time for the 25th Central American and Caribbean Games.
The extension completes the seafronting recreational area shortly before the Port of Haina entrance on the western side, with bicycling routes, paths, lighting, security and parking. The proposal is a priority of the second term of the Carolina Mejia capital city government.
The Malecon Deportivo initiative, aimed at promoting active lifestyles and offering public spaces for physical activity, seeks to transform the city’s iconic waterfront into a vibrant, multifunctional sports and leisure hub.
“This will be a space where citizens can exercise by the sea,” said Mejía during the groundbreaking ceremony. She did not disclose the total investment in the project, but President Luis Abinader announced his strong support to the project. President Abinader emphasized that beyond urban development, projects like this are intended to enhance citizens’ quality of life.
While the venue won’t serve as a direct site for the Games, it is expected to benefit athletes, residents, and tourists alike, Mejía noted.
Neverthless, Central American and Caribbean Games organizers have said that the 50,000 meter former Maharishi school park area under construction on the north side of the Malecon will be a venue for the skate racing competitions of the 2026 Santo Domingo games is a complement to the sea-bordering project announced this past week. This park area will be accessed from the Av. Independencia to its north to the Malecon on the south side.
Mayor Mejia explained that the Malecón Deportivo is part of the broader Santo Domingo Integrated Plan and will feature a skatepark, basketball and beach volleyball courts, soccer fields, children’s play areas, shaded bleachers, restrooms, and food stalls.
It will also include a wellness zone, commercial spaces, scenic viewpoints, and a reintegration of the Monument to the Heroes of 30 May that commemorates the assassination of dictator Trujillo.
Mejia said the Malecon Deportivo is an extension of the Paseo Maritimo, the successful public space, built during her first term as part of renovations of the 14 km sea-bordering Malecon that runs from the Colonial City historic area to Haina Port on the western end.
The Malecon renovations projects are major achievements Mejia hopes to show to get people to vote for her as the next President. Mejia seeks to be the ruling political party’s next presidential candidate in 2028.
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Diario Libre
CDN
Urbe
23 June 2025