San
Patricio
Forest
Guaynabo, Puerto Rico
The San Patricio Forest, located in the urban area of the municipality of San Juan, allows us to connect with nature within the urban landscpae. It is a large green lung in the city. The forest covers an area of about 69 acres. Its topography is mostly flat, but it includes a limestone hill known as "mogote."
This urban forest is geographically defined as all the tree vegetation in the city or urban area, ranging from trees in fragmented forests to parks, avenues, streets, and residential areas. It is also classified as a secondary forest, growing naturally after significant human-caused disturbances. The forest provides habitats for a wide diversity of flora and fauna, including endemic, native, exotic species, and those that are endangered.
Custodians: Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DRNA, by its Spanish acronym)
Duration of visit: 1 hr
Easy *Accessible for people with functional diversity
Wear closed hiking shoes, bring a reusable bottle/bring snacks, use sun protection, and bring insect repellent.
Reservations: 787-268-5353 msbosqueurbanosanpatriciopr@gmail.com
Free parking on Ensenada street, bathrooms, benches, gazebo, information center, identified trails.
By reservation, Wednesday to Saturday from 9:00 am-3:00 pm
More than 70 species of trees can be found, including “flamboyán”, almond, oak, maria and African tulip trees. Topographic gradient, elevation and human impact are factors that influence how vegetation is distributed in the forest.
The forest is located in the vicinity of the karst region, providing a unique characteristic to the forest in the metropolitan region.
The San Patricio Forest was once occupied by the Irish to establish a sugar mill, and later became land for cattle ranching. During the 20th century, after World War II, it was taken over by the U.S. government for housing military personnel.
After the 1970s, the land was abandoned and the forest regenerated. The support of the community to protect the forest was key so that today we can enjoy the San Patricio forest.
The species present in the forest serve as indicators of the regeneration and succession process that the environment has undergone.
Soils
San Patricio Forest is located in an area classified as an urban zone, therefore there is no precise information on soil series. These soils are known as urban soils. Still, you will be able to enjoy a vast diversity of flora and fauna.
