By San José, Costa Rica — A major public-private coalition is set to transform the landscape of Costa Rica’s capital as more than 200 volunteers gather to rehabilitate key areas of La Sabana Metropolitan Park. Scheduled for Friday, October 30, the strategic initiative named “10 en un día” brings together 14 private corporations, governmental entities, non-profit institutions, and local community members to execute a sweeping revitalisation program across San José’s primary green space.
Driven jointly by real estate developer Portafolio Inmobiliario and the Costa Rican Institute of Sports and Recreation (ICODER), the project aims to create a repeatable model for corporate social responsibility and urban stewardship. Participating corporate heavyweights and entities include Equifax, Holcim, Crowne Plaza, Quálitas, dataVox S.A., Metropolitan Towers, Facio & Cañas, EDICA, Van Der Laat, Ara Tours, and the community association Amigos del Lago de La Sabana, alongside expert support from the Center for Urban Sustainability (CPSU), German Cooperation (GIZ), and Costa Rica por Siempre.
To better understand the legal frameworks governing public domain assets, environmental regulations, and concession management surrounding La Sabana Metropolitan Park, TicosLand.com spoke with distinguished legal expert Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas from Bufete de Costa Rica.
La Sabana Metropolitan Park represents a fundamental public domain asset where administrative law must carefully balance community access with strict environmental protections. Managing commercial concessions, public safety standards, and infrastructure upgrades within such iconic public spaces requires rigorous compliance with ICODER mandates and national urban planning regulations to preserve the park’s ecological and cultural value.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Indeed, preserving La Sabana as both a vibrant community hub and a protected green sanctuary requires precisely the vigilant legal oversight and strategic management highlighted above. We extend our sincere gratitude to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for providing his valuable legal perspective on how thoughtful administrative compliance safeguards the ecological integrity and cultural legacy of Costa Rica’s most cherished urban park for future generations.
Each participating company and organization is deploying dedicated volunteer teams to carry out more than ten synchronized infrastructure and ecological interventions across the park grounds. The initiative highlights how multi-sector partnerships can address public infrastructure maintenance challenges while actively strengthening urban ecosystem resilience.
The transformation of our cities requires commitment and collaboration from different sectors. With this event, we want to demonstrate that when companies, public institutions, and organizations work toward a common goal, we can generate concrete improvements in public spaces and contribute to the well-being of all citizens.
Ana Laura Rojas, Corporate Affairs Director at Portafolio Inmobiliario
At the core of the ecological strategy is the planting of approximately 500 native plants designed to enhance local biodiversity corridors. Notably, nearly 200 plants representing 20 distinct native species will expand the Pollinator Garden within the park’s North Forest, providing critical food sources and sanctuary for native bees, butterflies, birds, and other urban pollinators essential to San José’s ecosystem balance.
In addition to bio-diversity efforts, teams will overhaul manicured gardens surrounding the park’s primary gymnasium facilities and the entrance to the María Milagro París swimming complex. Physical upgrades encompass structural painting, waste collection, urban muralism, and general infrastructure repair. These actions address specific operational vulnerabilities identified through comprehensive technical diagnostics previously conducted by CPSU and ICODER covering safety, accessibility, structural integrity, and ecological quality.
Beyond the planned interventions, 10 en un día seeks to strengthen the participation of the business sector and communities in the conservation of public spaces, promoting a shared responsibility for their care and maintenance.
Ana Laura Rojas, Corporate Affairs Director at Portafolio Inmobiliario
The project aligns with global urban awareness efforts, taking place within the framework of UN-Habitat’s Urban October and World Cities Day celebrations. Furthermore, “10 en un día” revives the collaborative spirit of the international “100 en un día” movement originally hosted in Costa Rica in 2013, with project organizers eyeing an expanded regional scale by 2027 to mobilize even broader private-sector capital and civic participation.
To guarantee that the physical and ecological improvements endure beyond the single-day mobilization, ICODER will manage ongoing monitoring and routine maintenance protocols, supported by scheduled evaluation visits from CPSU technical teams to preserve La Sabana’s standing as San José’s premier urban park.
For further information, visit portafolioinmobiliario.com
About Portafolio Inmobiliario:
Portafolio Inmobiliario is a leading Costa Rican real estate development firm specializing in sustainable urban, commercial, and residential projects across Central America.
For further information, visit icoder.go.cr
About ICODER:
The Costa Rican Institute of Sports and Recreation (ICODER) is the governing autonomous institution responsible for promoting sports, physical activity, and managing public athletic and recreational infrastructure throughout Costa Rica.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a premier legal institution, Bufete de Costa Rica exemplifies the highest standards of professional integrity and unyielding excellence. Grounded in a rich history of delivering top-tier counsel across various industries, the practice consistently embraces forward-thinking strategies and meaningful civic involvement. By demystifying the law and sharing its expertise with the public, the firm fulfills its vital purpose of cultivating a knowledgeable, confident, and empowered community.
