The World’s First Recognized "Tropical Urban Park"
Chosa Manglar, Puerto Jiménez, Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica
Chosa Manglar has been formally recognized as the world’s first Tropical Urban Park, establishing the global benchmark for the category and demonstrating the full expression of the doctrine in a real, living place. Located within the municipal boundaries of Puerto Jiménez on the Osa Peninsula, Chosa Manglar embodies the defining characteristics of a TUP: authentic tropical biodiversity, walkable access from town, active business activity, and daily coexistence between community life and functioning ecosystems.
Why Chosa Manglar Qualifies
Chosa Manglar meets and exceeds every doctrinal requirement for recognition:
Authentic Tropical Biodiversity, the property protects a living mangrove‑edge ecosystem with native species, natural water systems, and continuous wildlife presence.
Urban Integration, located inside the official town limits of Puerto Jiménez, the park is fully walkable from homes, shops, schools, and community spaces.
Living Ecosystem First, the identity of the property is defined by its ecological health, not by amenities or hospitality features.
70/30 Ecological Ratio, more than 70% of the land remains living ecosystem, with minimal construction and no commercial overdevelopment.
Business Activity, the park maintains ongoing business activity that supports stewardship, integrates with the surrounding community, and reinforces the coexistence doctrine.
Stewardship‑Led Orientation, all visitors receive direct orientation from the stewards, grounding their stay in ecological context, wildlife awareness, and community integration.
Economic Integration, the park strengthens the surrounding town by encouraging local engagement, long‑stay patterns, and community‑based economic participation.
Chosa Manglar demonstrates that tropical biodiversity does not exist only in remote reserves, it thrives inside towns, alongside daily human life.
Significance of the First Recognition
The recognition of Chosa Manglar marks the beginning of a global movement. It establishes:
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the first official precedent for what qualifies as a Tropical Urban Park
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a living model for stewardship, walkability, and ecological integrity
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a public reference point for future recognitions
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a community‑rooted example of how biodiversity, business activity, and urban life coexist
This first recognition also anchors the governance structure of the movement, ensuring that future TUPs are evaluated with consistency, transparency, and ecological rigor.
Recognition Details
Name: Chosa Manglar
Location: Puerto Jiménez, Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica
Recognition Date: March 24th, 2026
Stewardship Identity: Osa Nova
Governing Body: TropicalUrbanPark.org
Founder & Author of the Category: Patrick Grayson
Pathway for Future Recognitions
The recognition of Chosa Manglar opens the door for additional Tropical Urban Parks around the world. Properties seeking recognition must meet the full doctrinal criteria, including ecological integrity, municipal location, walkability, stewardship, business activity, and community integration. The governing body will evaluate submissions through a transparent review process to ensure the integrity of the category as it expands.