Complex El Campestre Recreational Park & Community Development Center – Jalpa de Méndez, Mexico
Title
Complex El Campestre Recreational Park & Community Development Center – Jalpa de Méndez, Mexico
Designed by
Centro Collaboración Arquitectónica
Image Credit
© Jaime Navarro
Website Source
Project Description
Project Description by CCA - As part of the Urban Improvement Program implemented by SEDATU, a comprehensive
intervention was carried out in Jalpa de Méndez, Tabasco, to rescue and transform its most
iconic public spaces. Led by Bernardo Quinzaños, this urban master plan redefines community
interaction through the revitalization of the “El Campestre” Recreational Park and the design of a
Community Development Center within it.
The proposal not only enhances sports, recreational, and cultural infrastructure but
also addresses social challenges through inclusive and functional architecture, deeply
rooted in the local identity. This project has set a new standard for participatory and
sustainable design, establishing itself as a benchmark for urban development in the region. With the aim of revitalizing public life in Jalpa de Méndez, Tabasco, an urban master plan was
designed for SEDATU, transforming the city’s most representative public spaces, including the
“El Campestre” Recreational Park and the Community Development Center located within it. Led
by Bernardo Quinzaños, the project focused on improving sports and recreational infrastructure,
fostering a comprehensive renewal of the urban environment.
The initial assessment revealed that public spaces were in a significant state of neglect, and
there was a pronounced lack of social assistance facilities at all levels. The intervention aimed to
enhance living conditions, reduce the deficit of equipment and public spaces, and stimulate the
local economy.
The “El Campestre” Recreational Park has become a vital space for community interaction and
entertainment. Its design features a central pavilion with a crossed-arch structure that serves
not only as a sculptural element but also as a functional venue for the city’s social and cultural
events, such as the annual “Feria de la Butifarra,” concerts, and exhibitions. This versatile space
has become a key gathering place, ideal for both informal activities and major celebrations.
The public space program was designed to seamlessly integrate with the pavilion’s iconic
sequence of arches and columns, connecting various sports areas and providing a habitable
refuge in Tabasco’s tropical, rainy climate. The structure not only offers shade but also features
a stepped concrete base that functions as seating for spectators of sporting events, offering a
comfortable and sheltered viewing area.
Located within the park, the Community Development Center is a cultural and educational hub that
promotes inclusive development opportunities for the local community. Conceived as a habitable
sculptural piece, its architectural program includes workshops, multipurpose rooms, a library,
an auditorium, and administrative areas. The structure consists of eight monumental concrete
panels perforated with semicircular arches. These perforations create the necessary void for an
interior garden, which acts as an urban oasis and generates a pleasant microclimate. The central
garden serves as the heart of the project, providing a lively space and offering captivating views
from within the building.
The overall design seeks to harmoniously integrate with the city’s urban context through the use of
pigmented concrete in orange tones, evoking the regional cantera stone found in the balustrades
of the main arcade in the historic center.
The construction process facilitated an authentic exchange of knowledge with the local community,
blending modern design technologies with artisanal processes to enrich the constructive memory
of Tabasco’s landscape. By employing local workers, diverse construction techniques were
interwoven, strengthening the project’s connection to its surroundings. This participatory process
gave rise to a new architectural language while fostering a sense of accomplishment, pride, and
identity within the community.
The “El Campestre” Recreational Park and the Community Development Center together offer
the people of Jalpa de Méndez a space for recreation, social interaction, and personal growth,
promoting inclusion and civic engagement. This project has become an emblematic symbol of the
city and a key reference point for both locals and visitors.
The project was developed as part of SEDATU’s Urban Improvement Program in Jalpa de Méndez,
Tabasco.
