The Armando Carnot Children's Park, situated adjacent to the Versalles Bridge in Matanzas, continues to deteriorate without intervention from authorities, as highlighted in a Thursday report by journalist Ángel Rodríguez, broadcast by TV Yumurí.
Despite previous media exposure last year, the condition of the park has worsened drastically, with the reporter noting it has gone "from bad to worse."
Playground equipment remains in disrepair, and the plaque honoring the local figure the park is named after is conspicuously missing. Additionally, the park has become a crucial water source for residents due to the area's ongoing water shortage.
Physical decay has accelerated recently, with sections of the perimeter fence being stolen over the past weeks, leaving the area unprotected, as the report warns.
The perimeter wall has also been compromised by a large, makeshift dump that continues to expand, in a neighborhood already acknowledged by officials as the most affected by Matanzas' garbage crisis, plagued by overflowing dumps and blocked sewage systems.
The report indicates the park lacks security personnel or management, facilitating the continuous theft of its structural components.
Water scarcity partly explains the park's use as a water source. More than 300,000 residents in the province face persistent water supply issues, a crisis persisting for months without resolution.
This park commemorates Armando Carnot Veulens, a Matanzas-born doctor and politician known as "the Doctor of the Poor" for his free medical care to the needy. He served as Matanzas' mayor starting in 1916. The commemorative plaque, along with the fence, has vanished.
The TV Yumurí report concluded with an unanswered question: "Must it be completely abandoned before restoration begins, or can we halt its decay until repairs are feasible?"
This situation is part of a recurring pattern of institutional neglect across the province. In April, a bush growing on the façade of the José White Hall highlighted the disregard for Matanzas' cultural heritage.
Shortly thereafter, images of Cárdenas showcased severe deterioration, with damaged buildings, deserted streets, and rubble accumulation in a historic area.
Understanding the Crisis at Matanzas Children's Park
What is causing the deterioration of the Armando Carnot Children's Park?
The park suffers from neglect by authorities, theft of structural components, and misuse as a water source due to local water shortages.
Who was Armando Carnot Veulens?
Armando Carnot Veulens was a doctor known as "the Doctor of the Poor" for his free medical services to the underprivileged and served as mayor of Matanzas from 1916.
How does the water shortage impact the park?
Due to a lack of stable water supply for over 300,000 residents, the park is used as a makeshift water source, contributing to its deterioration.