Every Sunday from 8am till 2pm, around 120,000 people gather their bicycles, scooters, skateboards, wheelchairs, and strollers and use some of the main streets of the city of Guadalajara. This activity has been going on for 4.5 years and is one of the most successful projects in public spaces that the local governments have developed. Currently the park is 25km long in Guadalajara and recently different municipalities (Zapopan, Tlaquepaque, TonalՍ) have been involved in this initiative extending the routes to various parts of the metropolitan area. The main objectives of this promenade are to promote social gathering while strolling through the city, providing space to do some physical activities for citizens and visitors, and create a sense of community and identity among its users. VÕ_a Recreactiva is a compound word for active and recreation.

This linear park is developed over main avenues of the city, thus it is accessible anywhere to around 50 different neighbourhoods. People arrive normally on their bicycles or walking. Although anyone from further distance to the promenade can get close by on a car or public transit and have access to the VÕ_a RecreActiva. Because of its routes, VÕ_a Recreactiva invites you to get to know the city from a different perspective. The streets that are used are normally very busy arterial avenues, as well as historical streets with important architecture and parks around it.

The first impression is a positive one. Many people come and go on their bikes, strollers, walking and there is a sense of community. Because itÍs a linear park, seating is not purposely on the path, but is part of the plazas and parks that are connected to the routes. You can always stop at any sidewalk or pull to a convenience store, cafeteria or restaurant for a break. One thing important to point out is that this space is kept clean. Extra trash cans were installed recently in main intersections.

VÕ_a Recreactiva is used by all ages and genders. There is a wide range of possibilities for both individual and group activities, such as jogging, biking or walking. There are also people in wheelchairs who take advantage of the opportunity to get out on the streets (it is hard to do so because of the lack of good sidewalks and the lack of respect from automovile drivers). VÕ_a RecreActiva also promotes cultural and educational activities in creating places for those who wish to take a break and enjoy the musical and dance demonstrations (Capoeira, Chinese Gymnastics), art exhibitions, theatre performances, environmental workshops, etc. It is important to point out that the activities that are held are non-lucrative and non-promotional, which keeps the program free of advertisement of any kind, and maintains the focus of the community and its opportunity to use this important public place. However, some commerce takes advantage of the promenade and offers their products or services to the users. Parallel to the stroll there is commercial activity, mainly restaurants and cafes that open during the schedule of VÕ_a Recreactiva and offer something to do, and a place to stay to the users. The restriction is, again, not to make it a place to give away pamphlets and having an emphasis on social gathering and use of public space.

People who visit VÕ_a Recreactiva are normally those who wan to spend some time in an open space, where they can stroll or bike through different parts of the city. All users are guided and sheltered by volunteers and personnel from the municipal government. This activity has been implemented for the past 4+ years and is now an activity that many families are looking forward to, every week.

The city of Guadalajara is the capital city of the state of Jalisco, located in the western-Pacific area of Mexico. The municipality has 1.6 million habitants in an area of 151km2 (58.3 sq. miles). However, the city is part of a larger zone with a population of 6 million people in 8 different municipalities that conform the Metropolitan Area of Guadalajara. Due to its geographical location, the city is in a strategic position in terms of communication and infrastructure with the rest of the country. It is a city that's principal income historically came from commerce, small industry and services. Currently, new industries have strengthened the cityÍs economy, such as electronics, textiles, and the fashion industry.