BIKE PATH 101
Who is Funding This Project?
The Rincón Bike & Pedestrian Trail is funded by the Puerto Rico Highway & Transportation Authority and the Federal Highway Administration.
Where The Path Goes:
This project is roughly 3.408 kilometers long – about 2.1 miles. The route starts at Dome’s Beach and ends at the Balneario (Rincón Public Beach). It also includes construction modifications to the Lighthouse (El Faro) and to Cambija Plaza. It includes a parking lot, a resting and bike parking area, lighting system, PREPA (electric) and PRASA (sewage) utilities, a new drainage system, retaining walls, and signage.
This bike path will be built on Maria’s Beach, Dome’s Beach, Tres Palmas, the Marina, and the Public Beach.
What Is Being Removed, Destroyed, and Built?
As of right now, the bike path will:
remove the community built areas of La Armonía Community Forest in Playas Marias (Maria’s Beach).
pave over the grassy walkway under the tall palms at Tres Palmas Marine Reserve.
remove the trees and destroy the camping sites at Domes Beach.
pave over the lower level parking lot of Domes Beach to be used for a bike path and roundabout thus removing the entire lower section of parking.
remove the trees and natural walking / bike path behind Villa de Zecheo / Dogman’s Beach.
remove the base of the parking lot at Step’s Beach to turn it into a roundabout bike path.
As of right now, the bike path will build:
6ft retaining walls on the coastline thus removing key parking areas, walkways, campsites, and access points to the beach.
build bike and pedestrian asphalt roads 12 feet wide.
fix the parking lot across from the lighthouse.
Rendered Photos of the Plan
It is important for us to state that we are NOT trying to stop the bike path altogether but we do want to redesign certain areas that are federally protected lands and known community spaces. We also are looking for changes that are more environmentally friendly and preserve the publics access to the beach.
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SALVA TRES PALMAS
En 2004, un esfuerzo liderado por la comunidad en Rincón, Puerto Rico resultó en la designación de la Reserva Marina Tres Palmas.
La Reserva se estableció para proteger los corales cuerno de alce, las tortugas marinas y otras especies marinas que viven en las aguas cercanas a la costa.
Estos corales ahora están nuevamente amenazados por una ola de desarrollo en la cuenca que desemboca en la Reserva.
Los arrecifes de coral están siendo asfixiados por los sedimentos de estos sitios de construcción que llegan a las aguas costeras cada vez que llueve.
El intento de construir un casino al lado de Tres Palmas fue prevenido, pero otros desarrolladores están actuando con impunidad: desmontando montañas, rellenando humedales, ignorando las leyes locales, incumpliendo la Ley de Agua Limpia, violando la Ley de Especies en Peligro de Extinción y construyendo carreteras sin permisos.
La mala planificación, los proyectos a gran escala mal concebidos, la falta de cumplimiento y la falta de liderazgo en las agencias gubernamentales locales va a causar la destrucción de este lugar especial.
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SAVE TRES PALMAS
In 2004, a community-led effort in Rincón, Puerto Rico resulted in the designation of the Tres Palmas Marine Reserve.
The Reserve was established to protect the endangered Elkhorn Corals, sea turtles, and other marine life that live in the nearshore waters.
These corals are now threatened again by a wave of development in the watershed that drains into the Reserve.
Coral reefs are being suffocated by the sediments that wash off these construction sites and into the coastal waters every time it rains.
While the attempt to build a casino next to Tres Palmas was thwarted, other developers are acting with impunity: stripping mountains, filling in wetlands, ignoring local laws, flouting the Clean Water Act, violating the Endangered Species Act, and building roads without permits.
Poor planning, ill-conceived large-scale projects, lack of enforcement, and the lack of leadership in local government agencies will lead to the destruction of this special place.
