The Sad Stupid End of the Huertalaria

The garden, back when you could go inside.

For years, children from local foundations and adults with down syndrome from a neighborhood home did productive work and got exercise - as well as learning healthy eating habits - in La Huertolaria, an unused lot in La Candelaria which residents converted into a public garden. Not only that, but neighborhood restaurants donated their organic waste to be composted.

A garden resident, now homeless.

However, about two months ago, city officials, in all their wisdom, decided to take the land away and that it made more sense for it to sit vacant and unused - like the empty city land behind barbed wire on 26th Street.

Now, the kids are on the street and the people with Downs are sitting at home. The property is empty and unused. And some bureaucrat feel satisfied that he did something.

Today, the garden is shut.

A peek under the door, to the prohibited garden.

See also:

Cheating Children of their Green Space

By Mike Ceaser, of Bogotá Bike Tours