A video shared on Facebook by the page SobreRuedas reveals the current state of Camagüey's "Lake of Dreams" Park: crumbling facilities, a reservoir overtaken by aquatic weeds, and invasive plants consuming what was once the city's largest recreational space.
The footage captures young skaters navigating the wrecked areas and diving from deteriorated structures into the reservoir's waters, starkly contrasting with the images from its grand opening 12 years ago.
The park was unveiled on February 8, 2014, as a gift to Camagüey during its 500th anniversary, driven by Jorge Luis Tapia Fonseca, who was the first secretary of the Communist Party in the province at the time. Over 40 companies, institutions, and cooperatives joined forces to build it on about 40 hectares, previously overrun with brush and undergrowth, adjacent to a reservoir in the Montecarlos district.
In its heyday, the complex boasted over 30 facilities: restaurants, cafes, a promenade extending over a kilometer, kayak and boat areas, sports fields, an outdoor gym, and a rodeo track. Its most iconic attraction was an An-26 airplane converted into an ice cream parlor named "1514," acclaimed for offering the "best ice creams in the city" by its patrons.
At the inauguration, Tapia Fonseca stated, "There is no inauguration without the people, because they helped, participated, with their contributions of voluntary work hours to build their park."
When Tapia left the province to take on national responsibilities—appointed as Vice Prime Minister in December 2019—the park began a relentless decline. Reports from 2020 already noted signs of neglect, and by 2024, it was reported that the axial pump that fed the lake had ceased to operate, hastening the degradation of the water body.
The video sparked a flood of reactions. Many users expressed nostalgia and sorrow over the stark contrast between what it once was and what it has become. "I visited in 2016, it was still very beautiful; now it looks like a scene from Jurassic Park," one user commented. Another summed up the prevalent sentiment: "It's heartbreaking to see how everything beautiful transformed into a nightmare instead of a dream."
Criticism was directed squarely at the regime's negligence. "The embargo has nothing to do with maintaining these facilities, but a lot with the lack of control and demands from those truly responsible for enforcing compliance," one comment noted, gathering numerous responses. Another user drew a broader comparison: "It's incredible how in Cuba, destruction and neglect consume infrastructures faster than the worst cancer. The iconic Lenin Park also succumbed to this devastating cancer."
The decline of the Lake of Dreams isn't unique in Camagüey. The Japanese Park also faced criticism for neglect last April, and the Amador Fernández Stadium had its stands closed due to collapse risk in March 2025, highlighting a pattern of recreational infrastructure failure across the province.
"Lake of Dreams vs. Lake of Nightmares," the video's description reads, encapsulating in a single phrase what the footage depicts.
Understanding Camagüey's Recreational Decline
What led to the deterioration of the Lake of Dreams in Camagüey?
The deterioration began after Jorge Luis Tapia Fonseca, who was instrumental in its creation, left the province for a national role. Subsequent neglect and the failure of the axial pump that maintained the lake accelerated its decline.
How has the local community reacted to the park's decline?
The community has expressed nostalgia and disappointment, with many lamenting the transformation from a dreamlike attraction to a neglected site. Criticism has been directed towards the regime's failure to maintain the infrastructure.
Is the Lake of Dreams' decline an isolated incident?
No, it is part of a broader pattern of infrastructure neglect in Camagüey, with other sites like the Japanese Park and Amador Fernández Stadium also showing signs of significant deterioration.