The Maspalomas Dunes Natural Reserve Interpretation Center has also been distinguished
The Educational Classroom of the Tony Gallardo Park, Special Natural Reserve of the Maspalomas Dunes, located in the municipality of San Bartolomé de Tirajana, has just received, for the first time, national recognition as a 'Blue Center' by the Education Association Environmental and Consumer Affairs (ADEAC), the same entity that grants the Blue Flag.
Both the mayor and the Councilor for Environmental Policies, Conchi Narváez and Antonio Pérez, respectively, expressed their satisfaction with the distinction, “a fact that corroborates the commitment of this Government group to promote green spaces and preserve our native species,” Narváez highlighted. Along with this, “the extensive program of visits and awareness-raising actions that we carry out with the school community, civil associations and towards tourists who visit us,” Pérez added.
Also, and within our municipality, the Maspalomas Dunes Natural Reserve Interpretation Center has been distinguished with this award. Only four spaces in the CCAA of the Canary Islands have received this distinction, the two mentioned in Gran Canaria, as well as the Restingolita Museum (El Pinar, El Hierro) and the Rambla de Castro Nature Classroom (Santa Cruz de Tenerife).
'Centro Azul' distinguishes the interpretation spaces that the Blue Flag municipalities have, whose objectives coincide with the Program and contribute to raising awareness among the population about the environment and sustainability. Currently, Spain has 79 Blue Centers located in ten autonomous communities.
The Tony Gallardo Park covers an area of nine hectares and is part of the Special Nature Reserve of the Maspalomas Dunes , sharing the same landscape, botanical, faunal and geological values.
Precisely, its characteristics and properties, as well as the dynamization of a broad program of activities open to citizens, have earned it this merit recognized by the same non-profit entity that awards the Blue Flag in Spain.
Already in ancient writings reference was made to this coastal area, where the presence of a pond and an important palm grove allowed sailors to rest and get supplies.
A few decades ago, Tony Gallardo, a distinguished sculptor, essayist and politician from Gran Canaria, saw the need to preserve and protect a space where man and nature merged harmoniously. This vision was the origin of this beautiful park.