Spheres Park

A VERY UNUSUAL PARK

Did you know that two very unique parks sit right across from each other in Palmar Sur? Both parks hold a collection of mysterious pre-Colombian stone spheres while the smaller park also presents a restored steam locomotive with wagons plus a HUGE playground. Two great attractions for the price of one, except you don’t need to pay as these parks are public and exist for the enjoyment of local residents and families.

PALMAR SUR PARK

This smaller of the two parks holds, arguably, the main attraction – a restored steam engine and a number of wagons. Engine #84 started hauling bananas in the 1940s, transporting the crops between the local fields and the port of Golfito where the bananas were loaded onto transport ships. The engine also pulled passenger cars but bananas were the main load – at times up to 40 cars full of bananas were pulled along by Engine #84. Following the closure of the banana farms the engine was left to rust and deteriorate – but thankfully the Development Association of Palmar Sur organized a successful restoration. The engine is now a stand-out local landmark as it presides over the lush surroundings.

A few pre-Colombian stone spheres, made by the now-extinct indigenous Diquis people who lived in these parts, are placed along the engine and wagons. They are presented in small landscaped gardens, in this park as well as in the larger Spheres Park. These spheres are magical remnants of a long gone civilization – more about them later in this blog entry.

Behind the train a HUGE playground, shaded by the surrounding trees, offers the kids a chance to let off some steam. A well-manicured grassy area is perfect for kicking around a ball or throwing a frisbee.

SPHERES PARK (PARQUE DE LAS ESFERAS)

The Parque De Las Esferas sits, literally, across the street from Palmar Sur Park. It is much larger and is shaded by a canopy of towering trees which at times are decorated by colorful and very noisy flocks of Scarlet Macaws. The area is criss-crossed by walkways and benches, with a central gazebo providing a focal point of the space. Stone spheres are scattered all throughout the park, some small and some very large.

THE STONE SPHERES

The spheres were made by the Diquis people, starting from around 600 AD, using rocks to hammer large boulders into spherical shapes which were later polished with sand. They are found around our local area, known as Diquis Delta, as well as on Caño Island, and vary in size from just a few centimetres to over 2 metres in diameter. Over 300 of them have been found in Costa Rica – many were moved to private collections, museums, public institutions like courts and universities, or public parks and green areas like these two parks. Few remain in their original locations.

A couple of theories exist about the purpose of the spheres – it is thought they lined approaches to the houses of local Chiefs, or that they represent planets and stars, or were used as navigational markers. And then there are the ‘alien artifacts’ or ‘they came from Atlantis’ theories. Some believe that the Diquis could make a magical potion that softened rock and allowed easy carving. Unfortunately the Diquis civilization disappeared soon after the Spanish conquest so we may never know the truth.

In 2014 the spheres have been named a national symbol of Costa Rica. In the same year, a nearby archeological area where the spheres have been found was added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.

LOCATION

The parks are located in Palmar Sur, along Routa Nacional Secondaria 223, right next to the Palmar Airport terminal.

PARKING

Parking is plentiful along the smaller Palmar Sur Park, close to Engine #84. Take care crossing the road and, as everywhere and always, do not leave valuables in your car.