Río Cali Park Phase 2 Breaks Ground

Río Cali Park spans roughly two kilometers of the Cali River on the north end of the city of Cali, Colombia. The project is divided physically by Avenida las Americas into two equal stretches, thus two phases. Phase One, the north east leg and more linear park, began construction in 2015. This phase is still under construction; steadily being woven into the tightly knit urban fabric of Cali, a result of rapid development of the city. The project team just began groundbreaking of Phase Two, moving forward with construction of the western stretch of Río Cali Park.

The Phase Two area is much less narrow than the definitively linear Phase One. It provides opportunities for a variety of spatial experiences and programs different from the more transient activation of its counterpart. This area will serve Cali as Central Park. Phase Two contains four very distinct gardens, in addition to more typical park spaces and moments of interaction with the river.

One of the gardens “Parque viva la musica” is intended to connect to the Arts Institute across from the park, providing space for entertainment programming and ensuring the park is energized with the sound and soul of Colombia. Another, Paseo Bolivar, is a pedestrian promenade that highlights the intricate brick masonry essential to the park’s historical identity. A third “Jardin Jorge Isaacs” of vibrant garden of heliconias with two custom designed footbridges will frame the river where it swerves perpendicularly across the park. The fourth major space is the courtyard of the government buildings in the center of the park. Construction on this fourth one will begin a little bit later. The realization of this design and the harmony of the spaces will be a truly transformative development for Cali.