Monday, March 31, 2008
Tenerife Corporation Considers Charging Picnickers
Until now, enjoying a chop or two, barbecued in the open air at one of the island's network of beautiful recreational areas has been free - other than the cost of the food you bring along and, of course, the wine to accompany it.
However, this situation could change because, according to this report, Tenerife Corporation, via it's Councilor for the Environment, Wladimiro Rodríguez Brito, is continuing to study the possibility of charging for the use of these facilities.
There are bound to be a huge amount of complaints, but these places have barbecues made of rock, grill in place, wood already chopped, water laid on; tables and benches, adequate toilets, children's play areas, parking and more, so you just can't help feeling that, up to now, people have been a bit spoilt.
Though that issue is still "pending review", the same news item, almost in the same breath, also lists - as a definite - that visitors will have to pay (as we previously reported here) to visit the Barranco de Masca (Masca Gorge), just as they do already in the Barranco del Infierno (Hell's Ravine), in Adeje.
The reason given is still the need to provide guides because they're having problems with security / safety. They don't say when charging will begin.
With respect to the recreation areas, the councillor apparently commented that "What would be good is that citizens collaborate with something that causes them pain, with 3 euros or more, so that they don't trash the installations and steal the firewood, or use them with no control whatsoever ..."
If that's what happening, you can understand, but it's the old story, where the entire class gets detention, just because one child is naughty; everyone will have to pay, just because the few cannot behave in a civilized manner.
And, of course, someone stands to make a profit out of this. :-)
There's also talk of gradually decentralizing the financial management of these recreational areas to their relevant town halls and, eventually to possible privatization. The report also contemplates the total closure of some of these areas, where there are fire risks and potential difficulties for evacuation.
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Do you know thats strange because I was thinking if the fella and I ever get to Tenerife I would really like to stop at one of the picnick places going up teide. They always look lovely and a nice place to stop and have a break.
Desperate to get back to Los Gigantes! keep looking at prices and its just too expensive at the mo!
Hope you are well xx Love Missy xx