PRISA Group to build $4M public park for families and pets in Convention District
Distrito Park will feature free green spaces, a dog park, children's playground and paid attractions such as a carousel and minigolf, with opening planned for early 2028.
PhotoThe short version
- El Nuevo Día reported that PRISA Group announced a $4 million investment in Distrito Park adjacent to the Convention Center parking lot
- The park will include free areas for recreation, a well-designed dog park, playgrounds for different ages, shaded paths and year-round programming according to both outlets
- Verónica Ferraiuoli of the Convention District Authority said the project was chosen after a competitive bidding process and will add a new reason to visit the district
- PRISA Group has announced $550 million in total investments in the area including the upcoming Hilton hotels, One Distrito residences and Distrito Sports Hub
New public space in San Juan
PRISA Group announced on Thursday the development of Distrito Park, a new public park in the Distrito T-Mobile area of San Juan. The project, with an investment of $4 million, will be located on land next to the parking lot of the Centro de Convenciones. El Nuevo Día reported that the park is intended as a free-access space for recreation, rest and exercise for multiple generations of families.
According to both El Nuevo Día and El Vocero, the park will feature a central green area, a children's playground for different ages, a dog park, shaded walkways, trees and spaces for year-round activities and events. Paid attractions will include a carousel, minigolf and bumper boats, along with food and retail options such as an ice cream parlor and a pet store. PRISA Group will handle long-term operations, programming, cleaning and maintenance after construction.
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What the sources posted
Posts and statements below are the sources' own words, quoted as published. They are not independently verified.
DISTRITO Park es la próxima pieza de ese ecosistema: un parque activo, familiar, abierto al público y con programación continua que incorpora nuevas experiencias para disfrutar Distrito
Our translation: DISTRICT Park is the next piece of that ecosystem: an active, family-friendly, open-to-the-public park with continuous programming that incorporates new experiences to enjoy the District
The source's own statement, as quoted by El Vocero. Not verified by PuertoRico.com.
Part of broader investment vision
Federico Stubbe, CEO of PRISA Group, told reporters that the company has announced $550 million in investments in the formerly underused area over 15 years. El Nuevo Día reported that this includes the Hampton and Homewood by Hilton hotels, set to open by the end of 2026 with 257 rooms and an $80 million investment, as well as the One Distrito residential-tourism project where all units have been sold and a waiting list of 1,400 people exists. The company also announced the $20 million Distrito Sports Hub in July, now under construction with an expected opening in mid-2027.
Verónica Ferraiuoli, executive director of the Puerto Rico Convention District Authority, stated that the project was selected after a competitive proposal process and that it expands the public value of the district. Both sources quoted her saying the park will strengthen Distrito as a more complete destination for residents and visitors. Stubbe described Distrito Park as the next piece of an integrated ecosystem that combines entertainment, hospitality, sports, residences and nature.
Where the sources differ
Both El Nuevo Día and El Vocero agree on the $4 million investment, the Thursday announcement, the main features of the park including free access to most areas and a dog park, the projected 2028 opening, and quotes from Federico Stubbe and Verónica Ferraiuoli. El Nuevo Día provides more detail on PRISA Group's other projects in the district, including the exact number of hotel rooms (257), the $550 million total investment figure, the status of One Distrito sales and the percentage of tickets sold for the Cirque du Soleil show. El Vocero offers a longer version of Stubbe's vision statement and emphasizes the public-benefit aspect slightly more but does not include the additional investment numbers or timelines for other projects.
What the reports do not say
The reports do not specify the exact size of the park in acres or square feet, the construction start date, the precise number of trees to be planted, the expected number of annual visitors, or details on how security and maintenance costs will be covered beyond PRISA assuming responsibility. They also do not mention any specific environmental impact studies or community feedback received during the proposal process.
Sources
Every link below was opened and checked when this story was published. Official means a government body, agency or the organization itself; Reporting means a news outlet.
- Official Prisa Group suma un parque para humanos y mascotas a la oferta del Distrito de Convenciones
- Official Prisa Group suma un parque para humanos y mascotas a la oferta del Distrito de Convenciones
- Reporting Prisa Group suma un parque para humanos y mascotas a la oferta del Distrito de Convenciones
- Reporting PRISA Group anuncia Distrito Park, un nuevo parque público y familiar
How we checked this
El Nuevo Día and El Vocero both covered the announcement made on Thursday at a press event convened by the Convention District Authority. Most details about the park itself are consistent across both reports while the broader investment figures and status of related projects rest solely on statements attributed to Federico Stubbe of PRISA Group.
Compiled by the PuertoRico.com News Desk from the reports and statements listed above, and checked against them before publishing. It does not include original interviews. Spot an error? Email support@puertorico.com with a link to this story.