One million Euros has been earmarked to establish public toilets in the Teide National Park, specifically in the final stretch of the parking area located at La Ruleta-Roques de García. The Island Council of Natural Environment, Sustainability, Security, and Emergencies is driving the investment in the new facilities, which will be accessible and harmoniously integrated into the protected environment including the terrain’s topography.
[–>The Councilor of Natural Environment, Sustainability, Security, and Emergencies, Blanca Pérez, states that the objective is “to enhance the quality of the visit for tourists or residents to this part of the park, by providing essential facilities.” Pérez emphasizes that “the new infrastructure will be accessible and blend with the environment to, among other reasons, prevent the dispersion of organic waste in the area.”
Service and Preservation. The councilor stresses a dual objective of the initiative. On one hand, “to meet the needs of people and, on the other hand, to preserve the Teide National Park in good condition.”
This is the purpose of constructing toilets located in La Ruleta. The hygiene services project is based on the adaptation and integration of the building with the landscape, respecting the surroundings and aiming to minimize environmental impact in the area.
Main Usage. The main use of the new building in the National Park will be for hygiene services featuring accessible and non-discriminatory indoor spaces for all visitors. Therefore, the new facility will include two unisex toilets and others for ostomized individuals. Additionally, the interior layout will have facilities and cleaning closets.
Connectivity. In order to achieve maximum efficiency and minimal environmental impact, a layout will be created for the installation piping that connects the hygiene rooms to the Visitors’ Centre at Cañada Blanca. This route, made through trenches, follows the natural terrain and adapts to existing pipelines.
Materials. Due to the adaptation to the environment and the respect for nature, the materials will be sourced locally, cladding the facades with coursed stone masonry, anti-slip ceramic and concrete pavements, which reduce falling risks, and anthracite grey lacquered steel carpentry to enhance the aesthetics. In 2022, the Teide National Park (189.9 square kilometers in area) was visited by 4,264,268 people and the vast majority passed through the Roques de García area. The aim is for them to do so without leaving a trace.
