The municipality of Dorado has inaugurated a new way to enjoy the La Plata River, a water body that originates in the Monte Santa peak of the Sierra de Cayey and flows through six municipalities before emptying into the Atlantic Ocean. The river, which was once a source of sustenance and recreation for the indigenous Taino people, continues to serve a utilitarian function, feeding the water systems and potable water infrastructure of the northern region of Puerto Rico.
The river's constant flow maintains the hydrological balance that supplies thousands of homes and businesses, and its floodplain and terraces are used to cultivate tobacco, grapefruit, and vegetables. The new Paseo Tablado, a boardwalk, allows visitors to access the river and enjoy views of the water from a terraplén.
This initiative is part of the Coge Calle series, which highlights lesser-known tourist destinations in Puerto Rico. According to the Spanish chronicler Gonzalo Fernández de Oviedo y Valdés, the river was once home to thriving indigenous communities that lived along its banks and celebrated their victories with areitos, or traditional dances.