A New Green Space in La Orotava
La Orotava boasts a new ‘green lung’. This “sustainable and multifunctional park” was constructed at an investment of approximately 1.5 million euros. Located within the Los Trazos urbanisation, it sits between the neighbourhoods of La Piedad, La Fariña, and Candelaria del Lomo. This facility occupies a surface area of over 9,300 square metres.
The municipal government of La Orotava describes the park as “sustainable” for several reasons: “The green areas have been designed for low water consumption and low maintenance, adapting to the new climatic reality. Significant green spaces are created without using grass or other plants that require a high expenditure of such an essential resource,” they explained in a statement.
A Thematic Garden with Indigenous Plants
Thus, the new urban park transforms into “a thematic garden with over a dozen indigenous plants.” It features a wide variety of Canary Island vegetation, including species such as tabaibas, palo blanco, mocán, acebuche, beech trees, palms, dragon trees, madroños, barbusano, Canary pines, and sabina,” they listed.
According to the local government, the fact that the gardens are filled with island plants makes the park “a great educational space for Canary flora and can serve an educational purpose for schoolchildren or anyone wishing to learn more about these species.” Attention has been given to information dissemination, as the park is equipped with “explanatory panels about each species’ characteristics throughout its area.”
The terrain’s topography that accommodates this space “has posed challenges to the project’s development,” considering that it has a steep incline of up to 30% in some areas. Hence, the design includes paths and viewpoints that help minimise this aspect, complemented by other spaces for visitors’ enjoyment.
Additionally, within the more than 9,300 square metres, there is a designated area for children in a prime setting, which also includes a large terrace-viewing area.
Another noteworthy aspect of the newly inaugurated facility pertains to a area dedicated to fitness, where users have access to biosaludable exercise installations and a calisthenics space.
Los Trazos is located among neighbourhoods situated within the urban centre of the Villa, an area home to approximately 5,000 residents. However, the goal of the La Orotava City Council is for it to become an open space for the enjoyment of the general public.
11,000 Square Metres
The development of this urban park has also improved Puenteareas Street and expanded the adjacent parking area. In fact, the overall scope of the project encompasses 11,000 square metres, including the creation of 36 parking spaces, two of which are for individuals with disabilities. The city council’s expectation is to increase the number of spaces to accommodate more vehicles.
The works to transform this space into a recreational area adapted to the new climatic context began in early 2024.
More Parks in the North
Soon there will be a new urban and sustainable park in the North of Tenerife. The local government of Los Realejos is commencing the construction of the first infrastructure of its kind in the municipality, specifically in the Toscal-Longuera neighbourhood. This involves an investment of over 1.2 million euros, thanks to a grant from the Ministry of Ecological Transition and Energy of the Canary Islands Government.
The design of this space, covering nearly 2,000 square metres, aims to leverage local climatic characteristics to “create a climate refuge that provides shade, coolness, and improved air quality, becoming a model of sustainable and resilient infrastructure.”
This initiative will be carried out through the planting of indigenous species, enhancement of biodiversity, and the use of green technologies.
