The New Malecones in the Ajijic, Lake Chapala Area
The New Malecon in Ajijic
Recently there have been some changes in the Ajijic, Lake Chapala area. The malecons have been reconstructed in Chapala, Ajijic, and San Antonio as well as further west past Ajijic. I have lived here for many years and must say that it is refreshing to see some constructive work being done.
The malecon in Chapala has been completed for several months now, and the town has had several large events since. One of the events I attended was a flight show. Hundreds of people were gathered along the malecon and sitting on the beaches with their families watching men jump out of planes, helicopters doing loopty loops, and pilots flying inches from the surface of the water. It was a beautiful sunny day, everyone was enjoying picnics, children were playing in the water, teenagers were laughing with their friends, and couples were cuddled up on the beach together. It was very nice to see the townspeople out and about again now that there is a nice place to spend time with their families on the weekends.
For those of you who have lived here as many years as I have, I am sure you remember the Ajijic Park down by the lake. For many years it was left behind. The tables and benches were rundown, the grass had become mostly dirt, the swing sets were broken, and everything was dirty and unkempt. The Ajijic park, once the hot spot for young and old alike had become a ghost town.
Last year when we received our heavy rains we so desperately needed the park was left partly underwater along with most of the roads along the lakeshore. Now that the lake has gone back down a bit, I assume the government took this opportunity to build an even better malecon, and maybe even a new park.
The malecon along the lakeshore in Ajijic is almost complete now, and the area is busier than ever. Over the past month or so there have been small events held there every weekend, and it seems the lake is becoming the hot spot all over again…As it should be. Lake Chapala is the greatest attraction to Ajijic and its surrounding towns, and it’s about time we appreciate it again. Events now held on the malecon range anywhere from small local bands performing in the new arena, to huge cultural fairs. I have also been told that there are new basketball courts along the San Antonio malecon, and possibly more on the way.
Although we all know there are many things that need to be fixed in our town, the holes in the streets for example, and the traffic amongst other things. Finally the government has made a great decision. Reconstructing the malecons has brought life back to the Ajijic, Lake Chapala area.