Two thousand years before our time, fiery rivers of lava reshaped this very ground. Today we stand at the edge of Bosque de Tlalpan. It is a green lung in Mexico City. This protected natural area offers a unique blend of history and nature.
Bosque de Tlalpan spans 253 hectares. It provides vital ecological services to the city. These include carbon capture and erosion control.
Originally, this land was part of an extensive forest. The forest surrounded Mexico City. Now, Bosque de Tlalpan is a key urban woodland. It is bordered by the Anillo Periférico Sur and Avenida Insurgentes Sur.
The area’s geology is thanks to the Xitle volcano. Eruptions around 250 to 300 AD formed the landscape. Bosque de Tlalpan sits on the Sierra del Ajusco foothills. It is part of the Valley of Anáhuac’s lake and volcano region.
Evidence suggests human presence here dating back 22000 years. Around 2500 years ago, Cuicuilco arose. It was a major ceremonial center. The Bosque de Tlalpan includes archaeological remains from Cuicuilco. The remains include the Tenantongo mound. You can see the remains of a base, aqueducts and water tanks.
The Xitle volcano devastated Cuicuilco. Yet, the area was resettled later. The Aztecs sought refuge here in the 13th century. They were expelled from Chapultepec.
In 1528, Hernán Cortés received this land. It was a reward from Carlos V. Bernal Díaz del Castillo later established the Hacienda de Peña Pobre.
In 1845, Guillermo Benfield started a paper factory here. Paper production became central to the region for over a century. In 1905, Alberto Lenz acquired the Loreto paper factory. He was a German immigrant. In 1924, he merged it with the Peña Pobre factory. This created the first cellulose plant in Latin America. It was named Fábricas de Papel Loreto y Peña Pobre.
Lenz reforested vast areas. He planted mimosas and eucalyptus to stabilize soil. He also planted pines and cedars for paper production. Lenz planted ten trees for every one cut down.
In 1968, the government bought the land. They established a zoological park. It operated until 1988. In 1997, Bosque de Tlalpan became a protected natural area. It gained the status of Urban Park.
Today, Bosque de Tlalpan offers five main routes. They vary in difficulty. The routes include clay tracks and mountain trails. There is also a warm-up area and exercise equipment.
Each year, the Bosque de Tlalpan hosts the Carrera del Día del Padre. It began in 1981. It attracts around 13000 runners.
The Corredores del Bosque de Tlalpan was formed in 1982. It aims to conserve the Bosque de Tlalpan. It also promotes sports.
Bosque de Tlalpan faces challenges. Erosion poses a significant threat. There is also theft of species and vandalism.
Yet, it remains a haven for wildlife. The Bosque de Tlalpan has about 206 plant species. The Bosque de Tlalpan also has 141 vertebrate species.
Take a moment to breathe. Consider the layers of history beneath your feet. Bosque de Tlalpan is more than just a park. It is a testament to resilience. It is a story of nature and human interaction.