Bosque de San Juan de Aragón

Did the shimmering waters of Lake Texcoco once lap at the very ground we stand on? Indeed, friends, here at the Bosque de San Juan de Arag\u00f3n, we stand on land reclaimed from that ancient lake. The Bosque de San Juan de Arag\u00f3n, inaugurated in 1964 by President Adolfo L\u00f3pez Mateos, now stands as a vibrant green lung within Mexico City. It sprawls across 162 hectares, a testament to urban renewal. This isn’t merely a park; it’s a story etched in the land itself. Before becoming the Bosque de San Juan de Arag\u00f3n, this land housed the Hacienda Santa Ana, established between 1713 and 1754. Captain Blas L\u00f3pez de Arag\u00f3n, a Seville native, leased land west of Lake Texcoco from the Tlaltelolcas to create this sprawling estate. He cultivated maize, wheat, and vetch, and his cattle grazed on the fertile land. The hacienda, later renamed Hacienda de Arag\u00f3n by Miguel de Berrio y Saldivar in honor of its founder, witnessed the ebb and flow of fortunes. In 1857, President Ignacio Comonfort decreed the official recognition of the town of San Juan de Arag\u00f3n, named after Saint John Chrysostom. The hacienda lands were divided, and a new chapter began. Fast forward to the 20th century. The early 1900s saw the establishment of the Arag\u00f3n Nursery, contributing to a larger reforestation project spearheaded by Miguel \u00c1ngel de Quevedo. The land, once barren and salty, slowly began its transformation. After the Mexican Revolution, the land was further divided into ejidos, but the saline soil posed challenges. During L\u00e1zaro C\u00e1rdenas’ presidency, reforestation efforts began anew, laying the groundwork for what would become the Bosque de San Juan de Arag\u00f3n. In 1962, the government expropriated a large portion of the land, earmarking it for urban development and a much-needed green space. The Bosque de San Juan de Arag\u00f3n and its accompanying zoo emerged as part of this grand vision. The Bosque de San Juan de Arag\u00f3n isn’t just a collection of trees and paths. Within its embrace, you’ll find a diverse ecosystem. Eucalyptus and casuarina trees dominate the landscape. Look closely, and you might spot ash, pepper, and thunder trees, resilient survivors of the changing urban environment. The air is filled with the songs of over 100 bird species, from the Mexican grackle to the white heron. Butterflies flit through the air. Squirrels scamper along branches. The Bosque de San Juan de Arag\u00f3n also boasts two artificial wetlands, designed by UNAM, quietly working to purify the lake’s water. As you explore the Bosque de San Juan de Arag\u00f3n, remember the layers of history beneath your feet. From ancient lakebed to hacienda to urban oasis, this park is a testament to the power of vision and transformation.