The Tijuana Economic Development Council (CDT) has removed food truck spaces from its renovation plan for Parque Azteca in Playas de Tijuana after residents pushed back against the proposal. Construction on the 8 million peso (roughly $440,000 USD) project is still set to begin around April 23, with a four-month timeline that would wrap up in August.
CDT director Aarón Victorio confirmed the updated plans at a public meeting on Saturday, April 11. But his statements drew scrutiny. Victorio denied knowledge of the food truck component while also saying it had been scrapped. Official CDT logos appeared on the original design renders that included food truck spaces, a detail first reported by Punto Norte.
Residents Say Meeting Felt Like a Done Deal
Neighbors who attended the Saturday session said the event felt more like a presentation than a genuine consultation. One resident with more than 30 years in the Playas de Tijuana area told Semanario ZETA that the community opposes commercializing one of the neighborhood’s few remaining green spaces. “It’s one of the few areas left as a green space for families,” the resident said.
Adriana de la Peña Garza, another Playas resident, took a more moderate position. She called the renovation positive, citing years of neglect at the park. Other neighbors noted that they already organize their own cleanup and maintenance days because the city provides little support.
What the Project Includes, and What It Leaves Out
The renovation plan calls for a new soccer field, a futbol rápido court, a skating area, a designated dog park, and shaded seating areas. Funding comes through FIDEM, a public-private business trust, and was approved by the trust’s committee in May 2025. The Tijuana city government has also signed off on the project.
Notable exclusions from the plan: no irrigation system, no bathroom renovations, and no new permanent construction. Residents flagged these gaps at the meeting. They also raised concerns about large events at the park, where sports courts are regularly used as parking lots.
No Municipal Officials Attended
Despite the city’s Instituto Municipal del Deporte being listed as a project partner, no municipal officials attended the April 11 meeting. The absence added to residents’ frustration about a lack of government accountability for the park’s condition and future use.
Victorio said the updated project focuses on recreational infrastructure. Work crews are expected on site by April 23. Playas de Tijuana residents who use Parque Azteca for walking, exercise, and dog walks should expect disrupted access through August.
This story was first reported by Punto Norte and confirmed by Semanario ZETA and El Imparcial.