The new normality finally settles in the natural areas of the island. This is how the Council of Tenerife which manages the maintenance of about twenty recreational areas open to the public for the first time since the pandemic. The Covid-19 caused the closure of these spaces and the attached services in 2020. They reopen to offer tables, benches, bathrooms, non-potable water points and stoves, making them the only forest spaces where you can light a fire. They are located in connection with campsites and nature trails, which is why they become meeting and rest points for families, large groups, athletes or hikers. Progressively, they have been recovering their level of influx, always in parallel with the changes in state regulations and with the necessary adaptation to the capacity and time restrictions that marked the different levels of the de-escalation period.
In February 2022, The Cabildo de Tenerife kept 17 recreational areas open with a level 4 alert; that is, only groups of a maximum of six people could gather from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The evolution of the measures against the pandemic has allowed this to be the first year since its inception in which citizens will be able to use recreational areas without sanitary restrictions indoors, outdoors and on public transport.
According to data from the Area of Natural Environment and Security of the Cabildo de Tenerife, the picnics in these areas They are one of the most demanded activities in nature among the local population. Especially since they have complete equipment.
In order to make all relevant information available to the public, the insular department includes in the official and free application Tenerife ONin its equipment section, all the Recreational Areas of the Island, as well as their location on a map, photographs, characteristics and their level of accessibility.
This tool collects secure, verified, official and updated information on the natural environment. One of its menus presents the connection points of the recreational areas with campsites and nature trails, as well as the current regulations that govern them and the link to the web where to request the pertinent permits. Normally it is not necessary to request them to use the facilities, except in the case of groups that are going to occupy more than 50% of the capacity or organized events promoted by a public or private entity. Its use is public and free. Citizen participation is essential to make good use of these spaces and collaborate in their preservation.
The Cabildo de Tenerife offers a guide of tips to follow to optimize outdoor leisure, respecting the environment and keeping recreational areas in good condition.
Use and maintenance
Respect for the environment is an essential condition. It includes interacting with the landscape without altering it so as not to damage the habitat of plant and animal species. They remember from the insular Corporation the importance of caring for the peace of the forestavoiding sound equipment and loud noises that could somehow disturb the natural environment.
Although the rest areas have, for the most part, containers to deposit waste separated by materials for recycling, it is recommended that people who make use of these spaces carry garbage bags to leave the facilities in optimum cleaning conditions.
On the other hand, the use of fire is limited to enabled stoves, although other variables such as high temperature alerts may influence. Likewise, fresh water (although not potable) is a limited resource, so the Cabildo recommends using it consciously, without dumping waste or soaps.
These are lands for common use, so they are shared among all the users. For this very reason, respecting the established capacity is important so as not to overload the outdoor recreational areas. Those of Chío and Ramón Caminero are the largest, making more than 600 places available to the public. Others, such as those in Arenas Negras, Las Lajas, Chanajiga or La Tahona have a capacity of more than 400.
Leaving vehicles, bicycles or horses in designated areas, walking along established paths or keeping dogs on a leash and under control, are some of the indications proposed by the responsible institutions to share space in a safe and responsible manner.
priority security
The Cabildo de Tenerife recalls the importance of planning leisure time in nature based on official information, such as that offered by Tenerife ON, to enjoy the environment in a respectful and safe way. Some of the measures proposed when carrying out activities in the natural environment are checking the weather forecast before leaving home, carrying a battery-powered cell phone, including a small first-aid kit in your backpack, and informing family and friends of the activity to be carried out to act in case of unforeseen events.
With the opening and maintenance of these 19 recreational areas, it is intended to relieve the most saturated areas due to the large influx of people, especially when the weather is good. The Cabildo insists on citizen cooperation to keep these spaces in the best possible condition with a sense of responsibility and the use of the best practice manuals available in Tenerife ON.
