A recently released video on the Facebook page "Holguín en fotos" reveals the severe state of neglect at El Mambisito, a children's park once popularly known as the Japanese Park, situated in the Valley of Mayabe, approximately 10 kilometers from the city of Holguín.
The footage paints a bleak picture, showcasing missing roofs, stolen benches, empty kiosks, and defunct attractions in what was once a prime recreational destination for Holguín families for decades.
The video's creator offers no hope for recovery, describing the location as "utterly abandoned" and suggesting that revitalizing it would be "extremely challenging in these times," a sentiment echoed in the desolate imagery.
A Glorious Past Turned to Ruin
El Mambisito opened its doors around 41 years ago, initially offering free entry and attractions for just 20 cents. In its heyday, it featured small boats, flying bicycles, a house of mirrors, planes painted in the colors of Cubana de Aviación, an ice cream parlor, and a train, forming a beloved part of the childhood experiences of several generations.
Today, however, most of these facilities have vanished or sit unused. The video indicates that the only remaining functional attraction is a manually operated flying chair, symbolizing the regression of the country's recreational infrastructure.
Voices from the Past and Present
Among the comments on the video is a former safety and health technician who worked in the Valley of Mayabe until 2022. He noted that the park occasionally still sold ice cream, though it was merely a "shadow of its former self."
He also recalled that the original plans included a roller coaster, a project that never came to fruition. The responses to the video mix personal memories with criticism of the accumulated decay. One Holguín resident remembered being 13 when the park opened and lamented that, four decades later, "only the ruins of all the facilities remain."
"I worked there when it was founded, and families flocked in droves. It's heartbreaking to see the abandonment of such a symbolic site for the people of Holguín," wrote another former park worker, capturing the sentiment of those who witnessed the rise and fall of this childhood haven.
A Broader Reflection on Cuba's Challenges
Some commenters compared the rapid dismantling of the site to extreme neglect scenarios like Chernobyl. Beyond nostalgia, many drew parallels between the park's condition and the broader state of the country. "Cuba is in the same condition as the Japanese Park," one user remarked.
Another summed up a shared perception: "That park reflects everything else."
However, one voice offered a concrete solution: "I know how it can be restored—simply privatize it and return it to its former glory."
The decline of El Mambisito is not an isolated case. The city known as the City of Parks has seen a series of collapses by 2026. The park Los Caballitos has become a dumping ground, while the Ateneo Deportivo has been found with pools of stagnant water and overgrown weeds, alongside streets littered with garbage and sewage.
El Mambisito had partial revivals in the past. The provincial broadcaster Radio Angulo reported its reopening in July 2023 with repaired attractions, and by July 2024, provincial authorities toured the facilities as part of the "Summer Mode" initiative. However, the recent video clearly shows that none of these efforts were sustainable.
Frequently Asked Questions About El Mambisito's Decline
What is the current condition of El Mambisito?
El Mambisito is in a state of severe neglect, with missing roofs, stolen benches, and defunct attractions. It is described as "utterly abandoned."
How did El Mambisito become neglected?
The park's decline is attributed to years of neglect and lack of maintenance, with previous efforts to revive it proving unsustainable.
What attractions were originally available at El Mambisito?
El Mambisito once featured small boats, flying bicycles, a house of mirrors, colorful planes, an ice cream parlor, and a train.