San Salvador centro
Collaborative Model for the Management of Cuscatlan Park
DURATION: Ongoing since 2021
POPULATION: San Salvador: 1,132,000 (Growth rate 0.80%)
TOPICS: URBAN GREEN SPACE, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, SAFETY, COLLABORATION EQUITY. SUSTAINABILITY
URA SCOPE: SOCIETY. Staying Human, STRATEGY. Shared Vision
MAIN ACTORS:Cuscatlan Park Foundation (FUNDAPARC) San Salvador Centro Municipality
In 2019, a new chapter began for Cuscatlán Park—a place that had long stood at the edge of memory for many in San Salvador. Once a proud green expanse established in 1939, the 7-hectare park had gradually fallen into decline. By 2015, its pathways were cracked, its greenery faded, and its reputation marred by safety concerns. Though still drawing around 100,000 visitors a year, it had become more cautionary tale than gathering place.
That same year, a new vision emerged. Glasswing International, with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), presented an ambitious plan to the San Salvador Centro City Hall: to bring the park back to life and, with it, breathe new energy into the surrounding neighbourhoods.
The municipality agreed, and in 2017, with funding from the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, restoration efforts began.
But renovation alone wouldn’t be enough. A lasting transformation required more than fresh paint and planted trees. It called for ongoing care, stewardship, and community trust. Through a series of public consultations and planning sessions, a long-term solution began to take shape.
The result was the creation of the Cuscatlán Park Foundation (FUNDAPARC)—a nonprofit organization established to ensure the park would never again fall into neglect.
In April 2021, FUNDAPARC and San Salvador Centro City Hall formalized their commitment through a Specific Collaboration Agreement for the park’s sustainable management. This agreement laid the groundwork for a new management model built on shared responsibility and transparency.
Central to this model is a Joint Working Committee (CTC), equally composed of members from FUNDAPARC and the municipality. All decisions must be made by consensus. FUNDAPARC also became the official administrator of revenues from park services, with every dollar earmarked exclusively for maintenance and improvement, under CTC oversight. Roles and responsibilities were clearly defined to ensure accountability on both sides.
What began as a rescue mission has become a partnership—one rooted in cooperation and designed to protect not just a park, but the public life that flourishes around it.
Challenge & Context
San Salvador, like many rapidly urbanizing cities, faces a range of complex challenges tied to the use, accessibility, and condition of its public spaces. A significant issue is the shortage of inclusive and accessible urban green areas that support the well-being of all residents. Existing spaces often fail to meet the diverse needs of the population, particularly for women, children, older adults, and people with disabilities, who frequently encounter barriers to safe and equitable use.
The deterioration of parks and public areas has contributed to a loss of community engagement and a weakened sense of collective ownership. As these spaces became perceived as unsafe, underused, or poorly maintained, they stopped functioning as social anchors where diverse groups could gather, interact, and build community ties. This decline in active public life has negatively impacted mental and physical health, social cohesion, and overall urban resilience.
Furthermore, low levels of community participation in the planning and stewardship of public spaces have limited opportunities for shared decision-making and accountability. Without inclusive frameworks for involvement, residents are often disconnected from the transformation and care of the places that shape their daily lives, deepening inequalities and reducing trust in local institutions.
Solution Proposed
The Cuscatlán Park project addresses critical challenges related to the role of urban green spaces in promoting community well-being, inclusion, and equitable access. Its overarching aim is to convert a previously neglected park into a safe, inclusive, and accessible public space that contributes to mental and physical health while fostering social equity—particularly for women, children, and individuals with disabilities.
The initiative’s short-term objectives focus on improving perceptions of safety, increasing public engagement, and encouraging active community participation in both programming and park management. The partnership model brings together public institutions, non-governmental organizations, and local stakeholders, pooling diverse expertise and resources. The establishment of FUNDAPARC as a dedicated entity for coordinating operations and programming reflects an innovative governance strategy designed to ensure long-term sustainability.
This collaborative approach to urban space management is submitted for the PARTNERS IN PROGRESS AWARD as a replicable model of inclusive, sustainable development.
It demonstrates how collective action, and shared responsibility can revitalize public spaces, strengthen civic life, and enhance urban resilience
Impact
The collaborative management model established by the Municipality of San Salvador Centro and the Cuscatlán Park Foundation (FUNDAPARC) has decisively transformed Cuscatlán Park, yielding substantial improvements in both its usage and public perception.
As of 2023, annual visitation has surpassed 782,000, marking an impressive 682% increase compared to pre-renovation figures.
This remarkable growth clearly demonstrates the effectiveness of strategic interventions and consistent stewardship in reclaiming vital public space.
Key indicators reveal that the partnership has successfully created a park environment that is more inclusive, safe, and socially lively.
The percentage of female visitors has surged from 38% to 51%, a clear sign of increased perceived and actual safety for women in the park. Furthermore, the proportion of child visitors has jumped from 14% to 36%, proving that the park has become a trusted venue for youth engagement and family recreation.
Public perception of safety has skyrocketed, improving from just 20% to an impressive 94%. This transformation underscores the success of targeted efforts to re-establish the park as a secure and inviting environment.
Additionally, programming has seen tremendous expansion, with the number of annual planned activities skyrocketing from 100 to 5,000.
This not only demonstrates robust operational capacity but also emphasizes the park’s role as a dynamic platform for cultural, educational, and recreational initiatives.
Intentions to visit the park as a family have risen dramatically, from 18% to 71%, solidifying its position as a multigenerational destination.
In summary, the joint governance approach has not only revitalized the park’s physical infrastructure but has also reinforced its social function as a thriving public space.
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