Visitor Facilities

Puerto Villamil, Isla Isabela

Galapagos National Park

On June 12-15 I traveled to Puerto Villamil, Isla Isabela to inspect
project work and provide assistance in the development of proposed
visitor facilities in the Puerto Villamil area. I arrived in the late
afternoon of the 12^th^ after a boat passage from Isla Santa Cruz and
had only a short time to meet Juan Alejo Chávez and than I spent the
early evening walking around the town to get oriented. I went out on the
old municipal pier and around the parameter of the town.

The next day Juan and I looked at the area at the Poza De Las Salinas,
which is proposed for a land exchange transfer with the town. We than
inspected the construction of the boardwalk and trail leading through
the western poza's and on to the tortoise rearing facility.

On Wednesday we continued looking at lagoon areas in the town, the
proposed boardwalk to Concha de Perla and the fresh water lagoon area
formed during airport construction.

Recommendations- Proposed facilities at Poza De Las Salinas

Short Term

-   Prior to land transfer from the municipality the park should
    continue to plant mangroves along the shoreline of the lagoon as
    this will develop the visual screening along the edge while also
    improving water quality of the lagoon.

Long Term

-   Once the land transfer takes place relocate the sewer and power
    utilities to the south side of the road.

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-   Construction of facilities should take place off the lava flows on
    lands already disturbed by mans activities. The second gift shop
    facility should be built back from the lava and a deck constructed
    that is cut in to merge with the lava flow. If bathrooms are
    provided there, they should be located inside the facility so that
    they can be secured at night. Allow access to the gift shops from
    the rear for store operations.

-   Consider building only one gift shop initially and once it has
    demonstrated success expand by building the other gift shops.

-   Consider building the structures using a similar design as that of
    the restaurant at La Casa de Marita. The high ceilings, expansive
    use of glass, unglazed tile and wood have a very refreshing look not
    found in the standard island construction.

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-   The boardwalk going out into the lagoon should not cross the channel
    near Firestone rock. The visitors can see into the area across the
    channel but if the channel were crossed the visual intrusion from
    the other sites along the trail would be objectionable. Additionally
    if the channel were bridged a social trail could develop from the
    residential area across the lagoon as a means of a short cut into
    town.

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-   Boardwalk construction should be as low in elevation as possible
    while keeping the exposed lava flows as visible as possible. Blend
    the boardwalk into the terrain. Concrete used in this construction
    should be mixed with black lava cinders to darken it and make it
    less obtrusive.

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-   The restaurant facility should be constructed with its back to the
    existing house. Provide access and egress to the road to allow
    visitors a means of continuing their visit without having to
    backtrack.

Recommendations- Trail Construction and Boardwalk, Puerta del Jeli &
Baltazar.

-   Continue construction of the boardwalks with care to keep
    construction debris from littering the area. The limbs and brush
    along the side of the trails should be removed to allow for the
    visitor to see the natural condition of the area as it looked prior
    to construction.

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-   On the board walk stringer beams where they join and are pinned to
    the concrete caps, the butt splices should be backed with a minimum
    of a 50cm block. This will strengthen the joint and reduce any
    bowing of the beams.

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-   Consider allowing the social trail from the soccer playing field to
    remain. Allowing local residents to use the boardwalk and trail to
    return to town may generate positive returns as they come to see
    that this is also their National Park. The trail can always be
    blocked at a later date.

Recommendations- Iguana Rearing Facility

-   The wall alongside the trail should be approximately 60cm high, and
    on the iguana side the wall should angle outwards at a 45° angle for
    the last 15cm. This outward turning lip should keep the animals from
    being able to scale the wall. To avoid having the wall look so stark
    on the iguana side where it is visible from the trail, consider
    painting the concrete a dark brown or black so it blends into the
    terrain.

Recommendations- Marine Access to the Town

-   Both current landing facilities are deficient for visitor access at
    this time. There are steps at both facility but hand holds or a
    railing should be provided to allow the visitors better security
    while using the steps. Any handrail will need to be very strong, as
    it will be used by some to tie up their pangas.

-   The development of a new pier and landing facility will be a massive
    undertaking. If the proposed site to the west of the current
    embarcadero is used it should be built in a manner which allows sand
    to migrate.

-   Dredging the channel to allow better access is not the answer due to
    continued drifting sands, which would refill the dredged area in
    short order. Unless the channel is dredged and maintained, the
    effort to dredge, and the logistics cost of having the work done are
    not cost effective.

Recommendations- Poza viewing area and rest stop on Pinzon Artesano &
Via Al Embarcadero

-   Provide a short boardwalk and viewing deck area, while keeping the
    facility as low as possible to limit the view of surrounding area.

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-   Build a shade shelter on the southeast side off the lava flow in the
    depression area. The shelter should have its back to the south and
    be positioned to catch the cooling sea breezes.

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-   Leave room near the road to allow for the construction of a
    refreshment stand once visitation increases to the level to sustain
    such a business.

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-   Prior to land transfer from the municipality the park should
    continue to plant mangroves along the shoreline of the lagoon as
    this will develop the visual screening along the edge while also
    improving water quality of the lagoon.

Recommendations- Flamingo Poza in the Airport Pit

-   Remove the lower road and restore the area as a foot trail.

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-   Improve the lagoon to lengthen it to the east and use the removed
    materials to build a berm blocking the view towards the active mine.

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-   Allow visitor access on the northwest side of the lagoon while
    keeping the other side quiet for the birds.

-   The park should continue to plant mangroves along the north end
    shoreline of the lagoon that would develop a visual screen of the
    mining activities.

-   Hide the ugly pipeline concrete with a covering of native materials.

Recommendations- Boardwalk to Concha de Perla

-   If visitors are to be allowed to swim and snorkel from the end of
    the boardwalk, make provisions for entry and exit from the water.

-   Relocate the old barge from the lagoon and remove the old fuel drums
    from the area. A visual inspection and underwater removal of debris
    and trash may be worthwhile.

Juan and I also discussed the possible benefits of the use of a glass
pulverizing machine to provide material for construction of facilities
that is reclaimed from trash, reduces local mining of materials and
provides a better building product.

The park and island government need to address the limited
transportation available for visitors to the island if any reliance on a
tourist economy base is to succeed for Puerto Villamil. Visitors to the
Galapagos need to have reliable access to the island if they are going
to come for a multi day stay. Having the ability to extend their stay by
a few days and gain the experience if Isabela Island would be very
rewarding.

Kent Bullard

Maintenance Supervisor

Channel Islands National Park

kent_bullard@nps.gov