Panama Presents its Third Love Park in San Miguelito, Made 100% with Plastic Waste

In a further step towards sustainability and community well-being, Banesco reaffirms its commitment to sustainability with the delivery of its third Parque de Amor (Love Park), a children’s recreation space built 100% with recycled plastic material, in the Emberá Purú community of San Miguelito, benefiting more than 800 children in the area.  You will notice the Mayor of San Miguelito, Irma Hernández, in the center of the photo above.  The park is strategically located near the Emberá Purú Community House, a meeting place in San Miguelito where children and families from the community frequently participate in educational and training activities. Its infrastructure includes swings, slides, handrails and games, as well as benches for parents; all manufactured from the treatment and recycling of collected plastic bottles.

“At Banesco Panama we believe in sustainability as a fundamental pillar of our management. With each Parque de Amor built and delivered, our commitment to the environment and to Panamanian children is strengthened, providing them with safe and ecological spaces for their development,” said Alfonso Prieto, Executive President and General Manager of Banesco Panama.

With this delivery, the project has collected more than 140 tons of plastic as a result of various initiatives and activities of the bank’s collaborators and clients, such as the “Botellatón” (Binding Bottle Party), as well as the participation of the Commercial Institute of Panama, who actively joined the initiative and promote the reuse of materials for the benefit of the environment and communities.

“The Emberá Purú community is a place built with the efforts of residents who migrated from Darién, giving life to a space full of history and identity.  This park is an inspiring example of how local governments, in partnership with the private sector, can join forces to improve the quality of life and beautify community spaces. In this project, the fundamental pillar was the participatory processes with the community. Through design workshops, the inhabitants themselves decided the location of the park and the narrative of the murals, ensuring that this space reflects their identity and their dreams.  Our goal with these processes is to give power back to the communities, allowing them to be protagonists in the construction of their environment. I thank Banesco for approaching us and making this beautiful park possible, a place where Emberá Purú children can play, laugh and grow in a safe space, thought out and designed by and for them.  The strategic and ongoing alliance between Banesco and the Botellas de Amor Foundation has made it possible to amplify the message to larger audiences in the country and, in turn, contribute to the fulfillment of the Sustainable Development Goals.” Irma Hernández, Mayor of the San Miguelito District.

“Thanks to the alliance with Banesco Panama, we have managed to transform tons of plastic into a valuable resource for the Emberá Purú community. This park is not only a recreational space, but also a tangible example of what can be achieved with proper waste management. Recycled plastic, instead of impacting our seas and soils, becomes a sustainable development tool that improves the quality of life of the children of this beautiful community. This is a reflection of everyone’s commitment to a greener and more responsible future.” said Marjorie Joudry, Director of the Botellas de Amor Foundation in Panama.

With this third delivery, the bank reaffirms its role as a socially responsible company and its commitment to initiatives that generate a positive impact on society, contributing to sustainable development and the creation of more resilient communities that are aware of the value of recycling.  Banesco Panama is part of Banesco International, a financial services brand with an international presence and a track record of more than 34 years in the banking, insurance and payment methods business.  Banesco Internacional is the result of more than 20 mergers and acquisitions. With operations in the United States and Latin America, it has a presence in six countries and is made up of four independent financial groups: Banesco USA (Florida, United States), Banesco Panama, Banesco Dominican Republic and Banesco Venezuela.  Banesco always with you!