The proposal to create a protected area in what today is the Metropolitan Natural Park (PNM) was originated in the first Soil Management Plan for the Panama Canal Area in 1974.
In 1983 the area where the park is today, was declared Curundu Recreational area and a year later after a presidential visit, the proposal to create The Metropolitan Natural Park was presented with law No. 8 on July 5, 1985.
The Metropolitan Natural Park is located in Panama City, Ancon district between Ascanio Villalaz Ave., the Amistad road and the Curundu river. MNP is the only wildlife refuge located within city boundaries.
The Metropolitan Natural Park is part of the Biological Corridor located along the east shore of the Panama Canal, the Camino de Cruces and Soberania National Park. The existence of this extensive protected area along with others ensures the efficiency of the Panama Canal which, requires large quantities of water and also protected rainforest, creating the perfect habitat for species that requires large forest areas.
The Metropolitan Natural Park has 232 hectares + 1.159.43m2. This protected area is one of the last spots of the almost extinct pacific dry forest in Central America. One mayor characteristic of this area is that most of its trees are deciduous which means they lose their leaves in the dry season.
