The GSE went completely green on Tuesday as we visited San Borja, which is a district of Lima known for its environmental initiatives and promotion of healthy living. The town, known for the location of Peru´s Pentagon and Defense Buildings, now boasts of the most modern self-sufficient irrigation system, water management, and recycling programs in all of Peru.
The focal point of the town´s green movement is the park which sits directly in the middle of the town. The town has 2 small canals (no larger than 2 feet wide at any point) that crosses the town in the shape of an X. These canals carry non-potable water to the town´s foliage. The water is treated in the park by way of biological, physical and mechanical processes. Below are photos of the rocks that pull different minerals out of the water, ponds that contain specific lillies that pull other chemicals out of the water, and a large holding tank that supplies the canals.
The park also has 3 different jogging paths (3km, 12km, and 21km) that are clearly marked and wind around the city and Pentagon. There are also small outdoor public gyms that pepper the city.
In a stroke of irony, we found out that the reason why the park could exist was because of the large POWER LINES that run through the town and cannot be developed around.
Among the minigolf putt-putt course, the health center, the outdoor gyms, and rest areas is the park´s Christmas Tree which is lit by 10 cycles below, where spinning classes are held each morning between 6am and 9am. The electricity that is generated by the cycles and stored in a large battery park is used to light the tree as well as provide electricity to the speakers that play music throughout the park and also some of the lighting.
All in all, it was a fascinating experience and we are thankful to the city of San Borja for giving us the opportunity to share ideas.
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