The necessity to seek parking spaces for locals on the Vieja road, in a region where parking was challenging, prompted the conversion of an old landfill into La Victoria de Acentejo’s inaugural sustainable park.
Initial efforts commenced in 2020, amid the pandemic. Nestled between the Old Highway TF-213 and Camino de la Costa, the site, previously a disposal area for many residents and businesses, transitioned first to provide approximately twenty parking bays, followed by trails, gardens, and the municipality’s first dog park, which was inaugurated in April 2023. Ultimately, this initiative has evolved into a more ambitious project that is already taking form: the first leisure space the municipality will possess.
Once barren, the area underwent clearing and cleaning, and on June 5, 2021, World Environment Day, the first trees began to be planted by local schools. Each school contributed their own tree, marking the commencement of reforestation efforts. Presently, over 150 trees are planted, with aspirations for the area to become densely wooded within a decade, providing a space for rest, recreation, and shade. Once devoid of fauna, it now attracts birds and lizards.
Concurrently, stone walls began to be constructed, funded through municipal resources and employment schemes involving local staff. Considerable administrative effort was also involved, necessitating modifications to the General Planning Plan (PGO) to reclassify the land from industrial to rustic in accordance with the Canary Islands Land Law. Currently, minor adjustments are underway to include the Santa Eulalia estate, adjoining the initial plot. This area of 18,000 square metres will facilitate the establishment of a green oasis with a name to match its beauty.
The parcel, acquired by the Council in the 1990s, previously belonged to a landowner connected to the Catholic church dedicated to this saint.
Beneath a large tree at the entrance of the estate, there exists an altar featuring a tiled depiction of Santa Eulalia, a 13-year-old girl who stood against Roman authorities and, as a result, endured severe martyrdom. Legends indicate she faced 13 forms of torture, one for each year of her life, culminating in her crucifixion.
The future sustainable park will also feature a skatepark, a multipurpose court, and a calisthenics circuit deemed by experts to be one of the largest on the island, according to Mayor Juan Antonio García Abreu, who guided this publication on a tour of the area.
He prefers to exercise caution, referring to it as the largest on the island. This has been designed in collaboration with a group of local residents who practice this sport. “We had a budget, and they advised us on the best equipment to include,” he states.
The bars have been securely embedded into the ground, with a concrete surround crafted for each leg to ensure stability over time. Pending minor enhancements to the gardens, the area is anticipated to be fully open for public use soon.
Plans are in place to develop a green belt adjacent to the highway to mitigate pollution. On the opposite side of the highway, an Industrial Polygon number 13 will be established, offering improved access from the TF-5.
“We’re only just beginning,” the mayor remarks. The project, conceived as a climate refuge, is broader in scope, which is why an architect and a landscape designer were engaged. It will include a playground, restrooms, cycling paths, and a café to enjoy “spectacular” sunsets. Nevertheless, many square metres of the area are still awaiting designated uses.
The mayor accentuates the “significant technical foundations” of this park, which is designed to harness rainwater via drainage systems that filter through the soil for irrigation, alongside renewable energy sources for lighting. “The goal is for all new initiatives to embrace environmental principles,” he underscores.
The antiquated road, which historically lacked such infrastructure, is gradually evolving into a neighbourhood that enhances quality of life for its residents, owing to initiatives that benefit not only the local community but the wider municipality and region as well.
Surveillance and Fencing to Ensure Security and Prevent Vandalism
The skatepark and multipurpose court will be available daily from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. for the enjoyment of the community. Soon, the City Council will install surveillance cameras, similar to those in other parks across the municipality, to deter vandalism, which has previously affected the Skate Park due to improper conduct. Consequently, for enhanced protection and maintenance, enclosing it with a fence is also being considered.
