Parque de la Ciudad

Parque de la Ciudad is a public park and former amusement park in the Villa Soldati neighborhood of Buenos Aires, Argentina. The site was conceived in 1978 under the administration of Mayor Osvaldo Cacciatore as a major urban-renewal project intended to transform a neglected area of the city. The original plan combined approximately 75 hectares of green space with a substantial amusement complex, lakes, landscaped hills, roads, recreation areas, mechanical rides, and a prominent observation tower. Development was awarded to Interama Parks S.A., a company created for the project. Interama contracted the Swiss engineering and amusement-ride supplier Intamin to provide attractions and related equipment. Construction began late in 1978 on a large, undeveloped tract near Villa Soldati. The work involved removing waste, using the site initially as a landfill, moving roughly one million cubic meters of earth, and reshaping the terrain into valleys, hills, lakes, ride foundations, and circulation routes. The project also required changes to local roads and the removal of some informal settlements and small properties. Among the principal attractions were the Aconcagua roller coaster, the Scorpion double Ferris wheel, the Aerogondolas aerial ride, a miniature railway, a musical fountain, and the planned Vertigorama double roller coaster. The centerpiece was La Torre Espacial, a 208-meter observation tower that became one of Argentina's most recognizable structures and remained the country's tallest free-standing structure until 2015. The park opened as Parque Interama on September 21, 1982, with around sixty attractions, although some planned facilities were incomplete or never entered operation. The amusement park encountered financial and political difficulties almost immediately. The bankruptcy of Banco Sidesa, a major Interama shareholder, contributed to delays and weakened the project's finances. After Argentina's return to democracy, the city administration revoked Interama's lease, sued the company, and renamed the property Parque de la Ciudad in December 1983. The park never achieved its projected annual attendance of 15 million visitors; attendance reportedly peaked at about 1.1 million in 1985 before declining. The site subsequently passed through repeated periods of closure, partial reopening, litigation, refurbishment, and repurposing. Deteriorating facilities led to closure in 2003. It reopened in 2006 but was closed again in 2008 because of continuing safety concerns. The park reopened in May 2010 as part of Argentina's Bicentennial celebrations, with some refurbishment, replacement of inoperable rides, a cultural center, and an art gallery. In 2013, part of the grounds was used for Ciudad del Rock, an events venue associated with Quilmes Rock. The former amusement-park grounds were later selected as the principal location for events connected with the 2018 Summer Youth Olympics. Plans included an Olympic village and sports venues; after the games, the apartments were dismantled and transferred for social-housing use. By 2019, Parque de la Ciudad was primarily an open green space with varied flora and fauna. It remained available for public recreation and for concerts, exhibitions, and other organized events. Most rides had been removed, while the Torre Espacial and Vertigorama structures remained standing. The site is served by the Buenos Aires Premetro's Parque de la Ciudad station and by the Metrobus Sur corridor.

Parque de la Ciudad began as a late-1970s Buenos Aires urban-development project. Mayor Osvaldo Cacciatore sought to revitalize Villa Soldati, a deteriorated southern district, through the creation of a large public recreational complex. The proposed development combined extensive landscaped parkland with an amusement park intended to become a major regional attraction. The city awarded the development contract to Interama Parks S.A., a project company whose first managing director was Alberto Gourdy Allende. Interama commissioned Intamin of Switzerland to supply rides, mechanical equipment, accessories, shopping equipment, and the Interama Tower. Construction started near the end of 1978 on a roughly 120-hectare tract. The site was cleared of waste and temporarily used as a landfill before being reshaped. Large quantities of earth were moved to create the park's lakes, hills, valleys, foundations, roads, and recreation zones. Engineers and consultants involved in the work included geologist James Fowler, Richard Battaglia of Walt Disney World, and an engineering team led by Omar N. Vázquez. Construction of the observation tower began in 1980, using materials sourced from Austria. The tower reached a height of 208 meters when completed in 1981, making it a dominant feature of the Buenos Aires skyline and, for decades, the tallest free-standing structure in Argentina. Other major construction efforts included foundations for the Vertigorama and Aconcagua roller coasters and the Aerogondolas aerial ride. The site opened as Parque Interama on September 21, 1982, with around sixty attractions. The advertised lineup included the Aconcagua coaster, Scorpion double wheel, Aerogondolas, a musical fountain, a perimeter miniature railway, and the Torre Espacial. Vertigorama was never fully opened because required components were not all delivered. The project was financially troubled before and after opening. Banco Sidesa, the principal shareholder in Interama, went bankrupt in 1980, contributing to delays and leaving the company with substantial debts. After democratic government returned in 1983, Mayor Julio César Saguier's administration revoked the company's lease and brought legal proceedings. The city renamed the property Parque de la Ciudad in December of that year. The litigation persisted for years. A 2000 ruling awarded Interama a very large damages judgment against the city for breach of contract, but the decision was reversed on appeal in 2007. Attendance fell far short of the city's original projection of 15 million visitors a year. About 1.1 million people visited in 1985, with attendance declining afterward. Proposed additions, including an IMAX cinema, were not completed. As the rides and facilities aged, the complex became increasingly difficult to operate. Mayor Aníbal Ibarra closed it in October 2003. Although the site reopened three years later, safety concerns led Mayor Mauricio Macri's administration to close it again in March 2008. A partial reopening took place in May 2010 for the Argentine Bicentennial. Refurbishment and the replacement of some inoperable rides accompanied the reopening, while a cultural center and art gallery broadened the site's function beyond amusement rides. In 2013, the city created Ciudad del Rock, a 180,000-square-meter event area intended for concerts and other large-scale activities. The initiative was criticized by Congressman Alejandro Bodart, who objected to reported below-market charges to Quilmes Rock and to proposals involving the removal of abandoned rides. The property acquired another civic role when it was selected as the principal site for the 2018 Summer Youth Olympics. A 2014 bidding process covered construction of an Olympic village with 1,440 apartments and multiple venues, including the Predio Ferial Olímpico. The apartments were subsequently dismantled and relocated for social-housing use. By 2019, the site was functioning chiefly as an open green area rather than a conventional amusement park. Its flora and fauna had become prominent features, while the grounds continued to host informal public recreation, concerts, exhibitions, and other events. Most of the original rides had disappeared, although the Torre Espacial and Vertigorama structures remained. The park is connected to the city's transport network through the Premetro station named Parque de la Ciudad and the Metrobus Sur line.

• 2019

  Predominantly open green space

  [1]Parque de la Ciudaden.wikipedia.org

  The site was described primarily as an open public green area used for recreation and organized cultural events, with most rides removed.

• 2018

  Summer Youth Olympics venue

  [1]Parque de la Ciudaden.wikipedia.org

  The grounds served as the main location for facilities and activities associated with the Buenos Aires Summer Youth Olympics.

• 2013

  Ciudad del Rock introduced

  [1]Parque de la Ciudaden.wikipedia.org

  Part of the former amusement park was adapted into a large outdoor concert and event venue.

• 2010

  Bicentennial reopening

  [1]Parque de la Ciudaden.wikipedia.org

  The park reopened with refurbishment, selected ride replacements, and new cultural facilities.

• 2008

  Second major closure

  [1]Parque de la Ciudaden.wikipedia.org

  The site was closed again because of unresolved safety concerns.

• 2003

  Closure after deterioration

  [1]Parque de la Ciudaden.wikipedia.org

  The city closed the amusement park because of its deteriorating condition.

• 1983

  Municipal takeover and renaming

  [1]Parque de la Ciudaden.wikipedia.org

  The city revoked Interama's lease, initiated litigation, and renamed the site Parque de la Ciudad.

• 1982

  Parque Interama opens

  [1]Parque de la Ciudaden.wikipedia.org

  The amusement park opened on September 21 with approximately sixty attractions.

• 1981

  Torre Espacial reaches planned height

  [1]Parque de la Ciudaden.wikipedia.org

  The observation tower was topped out at 208 meters.

• 1980

  Observation tower construction starts

  [1]Parque de la Ciudaden.wikipedia.org

  Construction of the future Torre Espacial began, including deep foundations and a large steel structure.

• 1978

  Urban park and amusement complex planned

  [1]Parque de la Ciudaden.wikipedia.org

  The Buenos Aires administration planned a major recreational development in Villa Soldati as part of an effort to renew the area.

• 1978

  Construction begins

  [1]Parque de la Ciudaden.wikipedia.org

  Work began on a large undeveloped tract, involving extensive earthmoving, landfill clearance, landscaping, roads, and ride foundations.

A civic green-space and event destination whose identity evolved from a large-scale amusement park into a public park and multipurpose cultural and outdoor venue.

• Observation tower · 1982

  Torre Espacial

  The park's signature observation tower, built with imported materials and completed at approximately 208 meters. It became a major visual landmark of southern Buenos Aires and was historically the tallest free-standing structure in Argentina. The tower was part of the original Interama amusement-park concept and remained standing after most of the rides were removed.

• Roller coaster · 1982

  Aconcagua

  A major roller coaster included among the principal attractions of the original Parque Interama complex. Its foundations were part of the substantial engineering works undertaken during construction. The attraction was associated with the park's original amusement identity; its current condition and operating status are not established in the supplied material.

• Double roller coaster

  Vertigorama

  A planned double roller coaster and one of the largest structures in the original amusement area. It did not fully open because all required parts were not delivered. The Vertigorama structure was still standing when the site had become primarily an open green space.

• Aerial ride · 1982

  Aerogondolas

  An aerial cable-ride system promoted as the longest Sky Ride in Latin America at the time of the park's opening. It formed part of the original attraction portfolio alongside the roller coasters, double wheel, miniature railway, and musical fountain.

• Double giant wheel · 1982

  Scorpion

  A double giant wheel that operated as one of the signature mechanical attractions at Parque Interama. It represented the large-scale amusement equipment imported for the original project.

• Outdoor event venue · 2013

  Ciudad del Rock

  A large event area created on part of the former amusement-park grounds. The venue was intended for concerts and cultural events and was associated with Quilmes Rock programming. It marked a shift from ride-based entertainment toward event-oriented use of the property.

• 2013

  Criticism of Ciudad del Rock fees and ride-removal plans

  Congressman Alejandro Bodart criticized the city's reported below-market user fees charged to Quilmes Rock and objected to plans to dismantle abandoned amusement rides. The criticism concerned public asset management and the treatment of the former amusement infrastructure.

  Source

Read more

• 2018Buenos Aires Summer Youth Olympics

  Argentina · International Olympic movement

  The former amusement-park site was selected for the Olympic village and multiple venues for the 2018 Summer Youth Olympics.

  Outcome. The grounds served a major international sporting event, while the planned apartments were later dismantled and transferred for social-housing use.

  Source
• 2013Ciudad del Rock

  Argentina

  The city adapted part of the grounds as a major outdoor music and events venue connected with Quilmes Rock.

  Outcome. The project reinforced the park's use as a multipurpose event site but attracted criticism over fees and plans concerning abandoned rides.

  Source
• 2010Bicentennial reopening

  Argentina

  The park was reopened during Argentina's Bicentennial celebrations after refurbishment and selected replacement of unusable attractions. Cultural facilities were added to broaden the site's role.

  Outcome. The reopening restored public access, but the site continued to transition away from a fully operating amusement park.

  Source

• 2013

  Conversion of part of the grounds into Ciudad del RockStrategy

  Background

  Many amusement rides were abandoned or unusable, creating pressure to find alternative uses for the large property.

  Action taken

  The city established a 180,000-square-meter outdoor event area for concerts and related activities.

  Aftermath

  The project made large events a more visible part of the park's operating identity and prompted political criticism over fees and ride dismantling.

  Reported user fee per Quilmes Rock event. 180000 Argentine pesos (2013)

  Source

• 2010

  Reopening with cultural and recreational repositioningStrategy

  Background

  The city sought to restore access to the property during the national Bicentennial while addressing the condition of the former amusement infrastructure.

  Action taken

  The park reopened after refurbishment, with some ride replacements and the addition of a cultural center and art gallery.

  Aftermath

  The site adopted a broader public-recreation and cultural role, although most original attractions eventually disappeared.

  Source

• 2008

  Safety-related closureOther

  Background

  A 2006 reopening did not resolve continuing safety concerns involving the aging amusement facilities.

  Action taken

  The city closed the site again in March 2008.

  Aftermath

  The park's later identity increasingly centered on open space, culture, events, and civic uses rather than rides.

  Source

• 2003

  Closure over deteriorating facilitiesOther

  Background

  The amusement park's infrastructure had deteriorated after years of weak attendance and operational difficulties.

  Action taken

  Mayor Aníbal Ibarra's administration closed the park in October.

  Aftermath

  The site later reopened but did not return to sustained full-scale amusement-park operation.

  Source

• 1983

  Municipal revocation of Interama's leaseStrategy

  Background

  Interama faced serious financial problems, including the bankruptcy of Banco Sidesa, and the amusement park had not yet demonstrated the attendance anticipated by its planners.

  Action taken

  The Buenos Aires administration revoked the lease, sued Interama, and renamed the site Parque de la Ciudad.

  Aftermath

  The decision produced prolonged litigation and shifted the property from a private concession model toward direct municipal control.

  Source

• 2014

  Park selected for 2018 Summer Youth Olympics facilities[1]Parque de la Ciudaden.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The city announced a bidding process for an Olympic village and venues at the former amusement-park site, which later became a principal location for the 2018 Summer Youth Olympics.

• 2013

  Ciudad del Rock event venue established on park grounds[1]Parque de la Ciudaden.wikipedia.org

  Campaign

  A 180,000-square-meter section of the former amusement park was designated Ciudad del Rock for large music and cultural events, including activities associated with Quilmes Rock.

• 2010

  Parque de la Ciudad reopens for the Bicentennial[1]Parque de la Ciudaden.wikipedia.org

  Product launch

  The site reopened in May during Argentina's Bicentennial celebrations after refurbishment efforts and the replacement of some unusable rides. A cultural center and art gallery were also introduced.

• 2008

  Park closure renewed over safety concerns[1]Parque de la Ciudaden.wikipedia.org

  Regulation

  After reopening in 2006, the site was closed again in March 2008 because safety problems remained unresolved.

• 2003

  Parque de la Ciudad closes over deteriorating conditions[1]Parque de la Ciudaden.wikipedia.org

  Regulation

  The amusement park was closed by the Buenos Aires city government after years of deterioration.

• 1983

  Park renamed Parque de la Ciudad after lease dispute[1]Parque de la Ciudaden.wikipedia.org

  Lawsuit

  Following the return to democracy, the Buenos Aires city administration revoked Interama's lease, initiated legal action, and changed the park's name from Parque Interama to Parque de la Ciudad.

• 1982

  Parque Interama opens in Buenos Aires[1]Parque de la Ciudaden.wikipedia.org

  Product launch

  The amusement park opened on September 21 with approximately sixty attractions, including major roller coasters, an aerial ride, a double wheel, a miniature railway, and the observation tower.

1. 1Parque de la Ciudaden.wikipedia.org