For decades, especially in the 1970s and 1980s, Parque San Francisco was a true sociocultural reference point for Puerto de la Cruz and, indeed, for the whole of northern Tenerife. There, rock concerts and various other musical events were held, the circus came in its many forms, Teresa Rabal performed her hit songs, and there were lively political rallies for nearly all parties (including Adolfo Suárez with UCD and later CDS), mass assemblies to vote on and confirm the first hospitality strike in the Canary Islands (1977-1978), Carnival galas, and numerous festive, cultural, and community events.
Its wooden and iron stands were very similar to the iconic Herradura stands of Heliodoro Rodríguez López, which disappeared after the gradual refurbishment of the CD Tenerife stadium. Its dimensions seemed much larger than the area it occupied in the heart of the main tourist city in the north, but its years of splendour began to fade in the late 1980s and early 1990s. An eagerly awaited refurbishment was promised, announced, and discussed, but today, around 35 years later, after its structure was dismantled, it remains pending and covered by a fence of wood, metal, and parts of the old wall directly in front of the Red Cross headquarters, as well as by other wooden and metal structures on San Juan Street.
The rehabilitation and new space encountered heritage issues, such as the potential impact on the adjacent church, San Francisco (from the 18th century), and the chapel of San Juan (built between 1599 and 1608) on the street of the same name. Furthermore, what was planned—or at least the intentions of the local governments—changed throughout their terms, remaining as an eternal electoral promise that has stirred the already intense local political and party life.
In fact, the roadmap set out by former mayor Marco González (PSOE, from 2019 to 2024, when a motion of censure voted by PP, CC, and his previous partner, ACP, pushed him into opposition) included what the Socialists present as a “sustainable project” that has met with rejection, primarily from the PP and CC, who advocated for a reform that would allow for a new large auditorium. However, after ten months of “silence,” according to the opposition’s view, the government led by conservative Leopoldo Afonso (PP) made a shift in the latest extraordinary plenary meeting, which has now aligned most parties in the city.
On that day, the PSOE proposed to “recover the roadmap outlined in the 2019-2023 mandate to create a green infrastructure with the citizenry and cultural agents of Puerto, through a participatory process led by the municipal Culture department to shape the design and uses of the new Parque San Francisco space.” An objective that, according to the Socialists, has been achieved because, as they emphasise, “the local government, beyond grand statements in the media until just a few days ago, has changed its mind and is finally in agreement with the roadmap initiated in the 2019-2023 mandate.” This change translates into a “simpler building with green and shaded areas, addressing the accessibility issue of the Díaz Fragoso house.”
Although they regret that ten months have been “lost” since the censure in August 2024, González’s group believes it is crucial to move forward now to configure the area from citizen participation and with all cultural associations in the municipality in order to definitively approve this “roadmap,” although they consider it a significant achievement to leave behind the idea of a large auditorium that, in their view, would have jeopardised the church and the chapel, two of the key heritage assets in this part of the town.
Furthermore, they also call for clarification on what to do with the old bus station amidst the “discrepancies” between government partners and the Chimisay cinema, advocating for the Culture department to lead decisions in each case, always with the essential support of the regional government and the Cabildo of Tenerife for various projects and works.
