Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - A broad coalition of civic groups, businesses, and city officials joined in June 2012 to resurrect Lazaro Cardenas Park located in Old Town Puerto Vallarta's Zona Romantica.

Under the auspices of the Puerto Vallarta Garden Club (PVGC), and in coordination with the Vallarta Botanical Gardens, more than one hundred persons planted trees and flowering plants as part of the Garden Club's continuing effort to promote Puerto Vallarta as the "City of Bougainvilleas."

Seventy-five member strong and established in 2009, the Puerto Vallarta Garden Club's rejuvenation of the park is the second phase of their three-prong beautification plan.

Building upon the city's construction of planters and installment of trash receptacles along key streets in the Mercado Cuale area, the garden club solicited sponsors for $5,000 pesos for the planting and upkeep of each planter and installed name tiles honoring the donors. In turn, some of these revenues (about $30,000 pesos) funded the landscaping of Lazaro Cardenas Park and the purchase of gardening equipment.

Bob Price, who founded Vallarta Botanical Gardens (located about a half-hour's drive south of Old Town) in 2004, is a driving force behind the greening of Puerto Vallarta. He selected and supervised Saturday's installation of more than 300 plants including several species of flowering Frangipani and Bougainvillea, plus trees including a variety of palms and Mexican Gourd trees from which maracas are made. His motto, "We have the dust of Mexico in our shoes and the love of Mexico in our hearts," waxed more than poetic as nationals and ex-pats labored together to create beauty.

In addition to the sponsors providing financial assistance and sweat equity named latter in this article, Price said, "Without the assistance of Ignacio Cruz, president of the Emiliano Zapata Neighborhood Association, where the park is located, and Eduardo Garcia, the Director of El Centro Historical Preservation who also oversees our sidewalk and pier improvements, the rejuvenation of this park would not have happened."

A special committee to oversee the park is being formed; SEPAL, the city's municipal water company, is supplying the water at no charge; and the city's gardener, along with volunteers, will be responsible for the park's day-to-day maintenance.

The third prong of PVGC's beautification program, now in the planning stage, is an annual Bougainvillea Festival slated for 2013 to coincide with Vallarta Restaurant Week, held annually during the last two weeks of May.

"Floral festivals are fantastic tourism promotions," said Suzanne Kirkpatrick, the garden club's current president. "Just think about it - Washington, DC has a Cherry Blossom Festival; there's the Pasadena Rose Parade; and the Chelsea Flower Show in England, to name a few."

Regarding the Bougainvillea Festival coinciding with May Restaurant Week, Price said, "This festival will energize the beginning of our low season, not unlike Washington DC's Cherry Blossom Festival jump-starting their summer tourist season. That festival is DC's largest revenue generator. We're hoping our festival will entice many of our visitors and part-time residents to extend their stays, in addition to creating a new event that will enthrall flower lovers from around the globe."

Tourism is Puerto Vallarta's bedrock. Contrary to myth, Puerto Vallarta's summer is less sweltering than Central Florida's, which does not deter tourists from marveling at the beautiful gardens in Disney World.

Planning for the first annual festival is ongoing, but slated activities include: a festival queen competition open to women; a magic lantern candle-lit parade; balcony beautification competitions, a Mad Hatter's Tea and dog parade at Hacienda San Angel, plus much, much more. Persons wishing additional information on the Bougainvillea Festival and to offer their services should contact Bob Price during office hours at (322) 223-6182.

Pilar Perez, PVGC Publicity Director, is "thrilled at the response from our community. In addition to many individuals, I offer special thanks to: Casa Vallarta Interior Design; Villas Puerto Vallarta; Old Town Farmers' Market; Artisan Chocolates Xocodiva; A Page in the Sun; Cheeky Monkey; A Taste of Italy; El Torito; The Dog House, the Emiliano Zapata Neighborhood Association; and the Old Town and Central Vallarta Residents Association."