The Empathic Capitalist: Non-Political News From the Social Entrepreneurial Front / #PuertoRico #positivedisruption

Santurce, Puerto Rico, USA

Latest News: After speaking at length with various municipal government offices, one of them suggested that a signature petition effort to organize the local community around the formalization of the skatepark, garden, and fishing area would serve as a bulwark against government expropriation and possible purchase of the property by a private owner.

The ‘Parque Punta Las Marias,’ situated in San Juan, Puerto Rico’s Atlantic coast in the Santurce neighborhood of Punta Las Marias, is heavily protected land by the local residents looking to keep it as a place of urban respite. It has been ground zero for a non-violent, community-driven turfwar symbolizing a microcosm of what has been happening to the island itself. Deep in bond debt, Puerto Rico’s government has looked to develop local industry, garner outside investment, and sell-off land in order to stay as close to solvency as possible. At the same time, many Puerto Ricans have become increasingly involved in how the island’s economy rises from decades of economic stagnation, how that is balanced with the stewardship of the natural environment, and to what degree local talent and natural resources are prioritized, in order to retain the island’s beauty, and direct its social and economic growth from the ground level upwards.

The park is dotted with art murals, a few skateboarding ramps, is bordered by jungle-like vegetation and crashing waves leading to a vista that takes in the entire northern horizon of the Atlantic Ocean. It has great potential if the community is organized. Can it be done?

It cannot stay ‘as is’ in its dilapidated form. It has dangerous rebar iron protruding from the ground, and given its frequent use of people of all ages, a final push to develop it in a proper way, keeping in spirit with the local residents desires is the only apt and correct action. But to accomplish this, the entire community needs to participate. It cannot be the effort of a small team only, but the total effort of all with the support of a dedicated team.

At https://www.ScalziOriginals.US, there is a direct link to the signature petition page where your name can be added to the list.

An addition to the growing of the non-political support team will include direct help from Robinson School, the oldest academic institution on the island. It will orchestrate with the team leaders in getting out the word, gathering signatures, and create a lead-up to the first fund-raising event. 100% of all money received will be cataloged online and directed towards the design, labor, purchase of materials, and construction of the park.