Semarnat promotes an ecological and circular economy park in Hidalgo.

The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources ( Semarnat ) announced the launch of an ambitious comprehensive restoration project in Tula, Hidalgo , which includes the creation of the Atitalaquia Ecological and Circular Economy Park . This initiative aims to transform land formerly used for a refinery into a green space with nature-based solutions, geared toward community well-being and environmental recovery.

With an area of ​​40 hectares , the park will be four times larger than Mexico City's Parque Hundido and will feature ecological, sports, cultural, and recreational infrastructure.

Semarnat's announcement responds to a public demand to recover areas affected by accumulated pollution in the region. According to the official statement, the central objective is to reverse environmental damage , while creating recreational areas and promoting coexistence with nature.

The project will be subject to public consultation to ensure that no work is carried out without taking into account the opinions of the Hidalgo population. This process seeks to provide certainty and strengthen community participation in decision-making.

The Ecological and Circular Economy Park is designed to address current environmental and social problems. These include:

• Climate change : creating green areas that regulate temperature and capture CO₂.
• Water scarcity : integration of native vegetation that requires less water consumption.
• Loss of biodiversity : recovery of ecosystems such as grasslands and scrublands that provide refuge for pollinators and local fauna.
• Natural disasters : soil strengthening and regulation of water flows.

This approach combines ecological restoration with social benefits , creating a space that improves the quality of life for the region's inhabitants.

The park will not only have environmental value, but also recreational and cultural value . Its infrastructure includes:

• Grasslands with native vegetation to preserve local flora.
• Recreational and sports areas , such as athletics tracks, multipurpose courts, and calisthenics facilities.
• Scrubland ecosystems that will serve as a refuge for animals and pollinating birds.
• Cultural spaces , including an Audiorama designed for listening to music and promoting relaxation.
• Pet areas , adapted to the size of the pets.
• Wind sculptures and planetarium plazas , such as the Moon Phases Walk and the Moons of Saturn, where visitors can learn about astronomy.

In this way, the park combines environmental education, sports, science, and art in one place.

The land where the park will be built had previously been considered for a refinery . However, the change in vision seeks to transform the space into an example of a circular economy , where resources are used efficiently and sustainability is fostered.

The circular economy involves reducing waste, reusing materials, and prioritizing solutions that benefit both the environment and society. Thus, this park will serve as an innovative model in the country, integrating recreational infrastructure with environmental restoration efforts.

Semarnat emphasized that the Ecological and Circular Economy Park in Hidalgo will not only be a recreational space, but a symbol of the shift toward more responsible and inclusive environmental policies.

By involving citizens in consultation and designing spaces with multiple functions, the park promises to become a regional and national benchmark for environmental resilience and sustainable development .

Furthermore, its opening is expected to promote environmental education for children and young people, boost local tourism, and generate a sense of belonging within the community.

The Atitalaquia Ecological and Circular Economy Park represents a unique opportunity to reconcile humans with nature in a region historically plagued by industrial pollution. With green spaces, sports, cultural, and scientific areas, this project aims to become an example of how environmental restoration and the circular economy can transform territories for the benefit of society.

Semarnat 's vision goes beyond creating a park: it is committed to building a more sustainable, participatory, and resilient future for Hidalgo and Mexico.