Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic – Top government and municipal leaders have officially opened the capital’s first ever Sports Boardwalk, a landmark coastal redevelopment project that is set to reshape a long-overlooked stretch of shoreline into a world-class public recreational and athletic hub.
Led by Dominican President Luis Abinader and National District Mayor Carolina Mejía, the opening ceremony marked the completion of the nearly two-kilometer Malecón Deportivo, a sprawling development that spans roughly 90,000 square meters along the city’s southern waterfront. The project forms a core component of the broader Integrated Plan of Santo Domingo, a city-wide urban initiative centered on advancing sustainable development, upgrading mobility infrastructure, and driving modernization across the capital.
Crafted by prominent local architect Luis Alejandro Pérez and delivered with a total investment of 333 million Dominican pesos, the new waterfront corridor integrates continuous, connected spaces for athletics, leisure, commerce, and green landscaping, all linked by dedicated pedestrian paths and routes designed for alternative, low-carbon mobility. Unlike the disconnected, underused stretch of coast that previously occupied the site, the new boardwalk creates a unified public space intended to serve as a central gathering spot for residents and visitors to engage in physical activity, enjoy coastal leisure time, and build community connections.
Mayor Mejía emphasized that the project delivers far more than new recreational amenities: it advances ongoing urban revitalization efforts, expands social inclusion by opening coastal access to all community members, boosts public safety in the previously neglected area, and reestablishes a bond between Santo Domingo’s residents and their natural waterfront.
The Sports Boardwalk is organized into four distinct functional zones, packed with a diverse range of facilities to serve athletes, families, and casual visitors of all ages. Amenities include an internationally certified skate park, professional-standard beach volleyball courts, 3×3 basketball courts, a seven-a-side football pitch, a fully equipped outdoor fitness gym, paddle tennis courts, age-appropriate children’s play areas, dedicated food and beverage zones, and off-street parking for up to 130 vehicles.
Officials also noted that the development is a key piece of infrastructure being upgraded and prepared ahead of the 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games, which Santo Domingo is set to host. The new boardwalk will not only serve as a competition venue for multiple events during the games but will also leave a lasting public legacy for the city’s residents long after the closing ceremony.