The Santa Cruz de Tenerife Palmetum will be expanding its premises, marking the tenth anniversary of its inauguration as the sole garden globally to have converted a landfill into a recreational and botanical hub.
Spanning across twelve hectares, this space houses Europe’s finest palm tree collection and one of the largest worldwide. By year’s end, the landscape will undergo a transformation with ongoing works introducing a new lake, nursery, and bird watching hide complete with a walkway. These enhancement projects represent an investment of close to two million euros.
Santa Cruz Mayor, José Manuel Bermúdez, joined by Deputy Mayor Carlos Tarife, Infrastructure Councillor Javier Rivero, members of the Palmetum board, and Belén Machado from the Cepsa Foundation in the Canary Islands, recently inspected progress on the site. Highlighting last year’s record-breaking 86,429 visitors, the councillor emphasised, “The refurbishments already underway promise to elevate this botanical haven.”
The Palmetum upgrade is divided into two phases. The first involves setting up nurseries to ensure proper care for over 500 palm tree species and the introduction of new varieties. Simultaneously, work has commenced on the new lake and bird watching hide to accommodate the diverse bird population frequenting the area for nesting or migratory stopovers.
Bermúdez added, “This bird-watching feature could become an exciting draw for the Palmetum, a sustainable venue recognised internationally and symbolic of Santa Cruz’s commitment.” Looking ahead, he revealed plans for future expansions, such as the Palmera Museum and parking area modernisation, geared towards promoting leisure and dining experiences funded either independently or through external initiatives.
Grateful for the Cepsa Foundation’s partnership, Bermúdez expressed appreciation for the significant financial contribution facilitating these developments, slated for completion by year-end for public enjoyment.
Enhancements
The Palmetum revamp includes a new greenhouse section to breed palm tree species. This area will house four structures for services, cultivation bays, planting zones, and a work hub, spanning 1,891 square metres. The project requires an investment of 1.543 million euros, with an expected completion time of nine months. Upon project conclusion, a dedicated scientific classroom will be developed to support educational activities.
Conversely, the bird watching hide, costing 316,281 euros and estimated to be finished in four months, will be situated atop the park, adjacent to the forthcoming Palm Tree Museum, spanning over 1,600 square metres, with 309 square metres designated for the new lake.
Under the guidance of Jorge Díaz Estudio-Equipo Olivares, the renovation aims to enhance species attraction by reviving the existing lake on a smaller scale, prompting the demolition of the old structure for fresh plantations and a new perimeter pathway.
