Playa 72 Dog-Friendly Beach Path Flooded Again

The path to Playa 72, a popular dog-friendly beach, has been flooded once again due to heavy rainfall over the past two days. The marshland on either side of the path has overflowed, submerging over 20 meters of the path in water up to 40 centimeters deep, making it unsafe to traverse.

Playa 72 is part of the Chenzubul natural reserve, often referred to as the city's last green lung. This two-hectare property is home to many swampy areas characteristic of the mangrove region in which it is located.

The path to Playa 72 was created in response to requests from local residents, who wanted to avoid a longer route via 88th Street or the Reef hotel that leads to Swan Beach. However, the path cuts through the reserve and is frequently prone to flooding during rainy seasons. Despite efforts to mitigate the flooding by placing stones or concrete slabs as a makeshift bridge, parts of the path remain submerged due to their lower elevation.

In addition to the flooding, there are also concerns about the presence of crocodiles in the area. The waterlogged path could potentially pose a risk to both pets and their owners.

A few weeks ago, the path had to be temporarily closed due to the formation of a sinkhole. Combined with the flooded area, authorities deemed it too risky for public use. Until it was reopened, beachgoers were redirected to Playa 88.

Despite the current flooding, no action has been taken thus far. There are additional concerns about a foul smell emanating from the swampy water, which could potentially cause skin infections for pets or their owners who come into contact with the contaminated water.