A video shared on TikTok by the user @zol.arias showcases the current condition of the playground in Parque Maceo in Havana, a space that was once frequented by children and families and has been visibly deteriorating for some time now.
In the recording, Zol Arias walks through the park and shows the dilapidated structures. "The ruins of the Maceo little park," he says at the beginning of the video, while focusing on what remains of the children's play equipment. "Children used to come here to play, but now there's practically nothing left, and the little that remains is destroyed," he adds. He also points out the poor condition of the swings and other attractions: "The plastic parts are broken, the seesaw was completely rusty, it barely moved."
The creator of the video reflects on her childhood in that place and expresses nostalgia: "I'm reminiscing about my old days, my childhood times, but I'm already a grown-up, I have to accept that." As she continues to explore the area, she becomes intrigued by a little train that, according to her, she thought was only meant for tourists, but later discovered that Cubans can also access it for a price of 180 Cuban pesos. She explains that the route takes you through Old Havana and Vedado.
From the park, the young woman showcases a view of the Malecón and describes it as a relaxing place to contemplate the sea. She also mentions people fishing, although she admits she is unaware of what they might catch in those waters. Finally, she focuses on the litter accumulated in the area and points out that it is something "normal" in the city.
The video has generated various reactions on social media. Some users lamented the state of the park and compared it to the deterioration of other recreational spaces in Havana, while others shared childhood memories of that place. One comment notes that "it seems Cuba is stuck in another era," while another person expresses that "the park needs more than just a repair." The creator of the video herself responded that she doesn't believe a restoration would be enough and that new play equipment would be needed.
The condition of the children's playground at Maceo Park is not an isolated case. Recently, images of Lenin Park, another major recreational center in Havana, sparked outrage due to its severe deterioration. Inaugurated in 1972, this vast recreational complex became one of the largest and most visited in the country, but today it presents a picture of total abandonment.
A recently recorded video from the site showed destroyed attractions, structures corroded by time and lack of maintenance, and playground areas overgrown with weeds. The sad images sparked reactions of sadness and anger among Cubans, who lament the gradual disappearance of these entertainment spaces.
Despite the restoration promises made by the government last January, when Prime Minister Manuel Marrero assured that Parque Lenin, ExpoCuba, and the National Zoo would be restored, the situation continues to deteriorate.
Meanwhile, on social media, complaints persist about the disappearance of children's recreation spaces in Cuba, which have transformed from vibrant places into ruins that reflect the general deterioration of the country's infrastructure.
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