{"id":17539,"date":"2026-10-01T02:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-01T07:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/?p=17539"},"modified":"2026-10-01T12:02:27","modified_gmt":"2026-10-01T17:02:27","slug":"radical-makeover-parque-omar-to-feature-a-new-2500-square-meter-lake","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/business-economy\/radical-makeover-parque-omar-to-feature-a-new-2500-square-meter-lake\/","title":{"rendered":"Radical Makeover! Parque Omar to Feature a New 2,500-Square-Meter Lake"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Panamanian government has declared the construction of an <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/business-economy\/el-nino-continues-to-cause-problems-panama-halts-water-well-drilling-before-reservoirs-run-dry\/\" rel=\"internal\">artificial lake Panama<\/a><\/strong> project inside Parque Recreativo y Cultural Omar a matter of <a href=\"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/business-economy\/panama-mayor-wants-your-business-data-shared-automatically\/\" rel=\"internal\">public interest<\/a>. The Council of Cabinet issued Resolution No. 97 on September 15, 2026 and published it in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gacetaoficial.gob.pa\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Official Gazette<\/a> this Wednesday. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.presidencia.gob.pa\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ministry of the Presidency<\/a> will oversee the study, design, and construction of the 2,500-square-meter water body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The decision grants the project strategic priority for environmental and social reasons. Officials confirmed the lake will function as a reservoir while supporting local biodiversity and moderating surrounding temperatures. The plan also includes spaces for recreation, environmental education, and community gatherings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"685\" src=\"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/lago-en-el-parque-1200x803-1-1024x685.webp\" alt=\"Lake on a Park\" class=\"wp-image-17538\" srcset=\"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/lago-en-el-parque-1200x803-1-1024x685.webp 1024w, https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/lago-en-el-parque-1200x803-1-300x201.webp 300w, https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/lago-en-el-parque-1200x803-1-768x514.webp 768w, https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/lago-en-el-parque-1200x803-1-150x100.webp 150w, https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/lago-en-el-parque-1200x803-1-450x301.webp 450w, https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/lago-en-el-parque-1200x803-1.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Officials confirmed the lake will function as a reservoir while supporting local biodiversity and moderating surrounding temperatures. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Environmental Role of the <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Artificial_lake\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Artificial Lake<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/business-economy\/more-panamanian-tourist-taxes-tourism-authority-targets-13000-airbnb-rentals\/\" rel=\"internal\">Panama Project<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Parque Omar currently lacks any permanent body of water. The resolution notes that introducing this infrastructure for the first time expands the park&#8217;s environmental services in an unprecedented way. The lake will contribute to responsible water management and strengthen urban green infrastructure in the country&#8217;s principal urban park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Documents filed with the Cabinet emphasize the project&#8217;s role in conserving a collective-use space. The government must secure prior approvals and permits before breaking ground. Environmental impact studies remain mandatory under Ministry of Environment oversight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;The strategic interest of the State in this project is based on responsible water management, strengthening urban green infrastructure, and conserving a space for collective use, ensuring user safety and sustainable operation and maintenance&#8221; [Translated from Spanish]<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/panama-oceans-month-start-on-septembrer-1200x800-1-1024x683.webp\" alt=\"Panama's Oceans Month Start on Septembrer\" class=\"wp-image-16256\" srcset=\"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/panama-oceans-month-start-on-septembrer-1200x800-1-1024x683.webp 1024w, https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/panama-oceans-month-start-on-septembrer-1200x800-1-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/panama-oceans-month-start-on-septembrer-1200x800-1-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/panama-oceans-month-start-on-septembrer-1200x800-1-150x100.webp 150w, https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/panama-oceans-month-start-on-septembrer-1200x800-1-450x300.webp 450w, https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/panama-oceans-month-start-on-septembrer-1200x800-1.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The project on the side must be authorized by the Ministry of the Environment.. Photo By MiAMBIENTE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Project Scope and Regulatory Requirements<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The resolution does not specify the total investment amount or whether the construction will go to public tender. It does require collaboration from relevant entities, particularly the Ministry of Environment. Citizen participation obligations, safety protocols, and monitoring systems must align with applicable regulations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The park serves as a key significant green spaces in Panama City. The artificial lake introduces a new category of public infrastructure to the recreational area. Government officials have not released a construction timeline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/parque-omar-parque-de-nios-1200x800-1-1024x683.webp\" alt=\"Parque Omar, Kids area\" class=\"wp-image-17540\" srcset=\"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/parque-omar-parque-de-nios-1200x800-1-1024x683.webp 1024w, https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/parque-omar-parque-de-nios-1200x800-1-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/parque-omar-parque-de-nios-1200x800-1-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/parque-omar-parque-de-nios-1200x800-1-150x100.webp 150w, https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/parque-omar-parque-de-nios-1200x800-1-450x300.webp 450w, https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/parque-omar-parque-de-nios-1200x800-1.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The artificial lake represents a notable shift in how Panama manages urban green spaces and water resources within densely populated areas. Parque Omar, Kids area<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Community Impact and Next Steps<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The project will require environmental impact approval before any physical work begins. Authorities must demonstrate compliance with participation and control mechanisms established under Panamanian law. The Ministry of the Presidency leads the initiative while coordinating with environmental regulators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Residents and park users will gain access to new recreational and educational amenities once construction concludes. The lake&#8217;s design includes provisions for biodiversity support and temperature moderation in the immediate surroundings. Cabinet members stressed sustainable operation as a core requirement for the project&#8217;s long-term viability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In summary, the declaration of public interest accelerates administrative processes while maintaining environmental safeguards. The artificial lake represents a notable shift in how Panama manages urban green spaces and water resources within densely populated areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/Dd8ydPpEVc7\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\" style=\" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);\"><div style=\"padding:16px;\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/Dd8ydPpEVc7\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <div style=\" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;\"> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div style=\"padding: 19% 0;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;\"><svg width=\"50px\" height=\"50px\" viewBox=\"0 0 60 60\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\"><g stroke=\"none\" stroke-width=\"1\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"><g transform=\"translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)\" fill=\"#000000\"><g><path d=\"M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631\"><\/path><\/g><\/g><\/g><\/svg><\/div><div style=\"padding-top: 8px;\"> <div style=\" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;\">Ver esta publicaci\u00f3n en Instagram<\/div><\/div><div style=\"padding: 12.5% 0;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;\"><div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);\"><\/div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;\"><\/div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);\"><\/div><\/div><div style=\"margin-left: 8px;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)\"><\/div><\/div><div style=\"margin-left: auto;\"> <div style=\" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);\"><\/div> <div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);\"><\/div><\/div><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;\"><\/div><\/div><\/a><p style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/Dd8ydPpEVc7\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Una publicaci\u00f3n compartida por Hispania Informa | Noticias (@hispaniainforma)<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n<script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Panamanian government has declared the construction of an artificial lake Panama project inside Parque Recreativo y Cultural Omar a matter of public interest. The Council of Cabinet issued Resolution No. 97 on September 15, 2026 and published it in the Official Gazette this Wednesday. The Ministry of the Presidency will oversee the study, design,<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":17541,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_sitemap_exclude":false,"_sitemap_priority":"","_sitemap_frequency":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[30,32,38,35],"tags":[7258,133,50,7279,966],"class_list":["post-17539","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-business-economy","category-environment-wildlife","category-people-opinions-language","category-travel-transportation-tourism","tag-environment","tag-infrastructure","tag-panama","tag-urban-green-infrastructure","tag-water-management"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17539","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17539"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17539\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17542,"href":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17539\/revisions\/17542"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/17541"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17539"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17539"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17539"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}