A wide degraded lot on Avenida de AndalucíaThe area next to the BP gas station and the streets Periodista Fernando Gómez de la Cruz and Periodista Miguel Montalvo is soon to be transformed into a new urban park with over 6.700 square meters for community use. The Granada City Council has begun the process of completely revitalizing this site, which will become a new urban park with over 6,700 square meters of space for residents.
The intervention represents a clear commitment to gain quality public space in a location that had been unused for years and was showing clear signs of physical deterioration. The project, already in the bidding phase, aims to provide the La Chana neighborhood and its surroundings with a landmark green space, featuring rest areas, children's play areas, comfortable pedestrian paths, and designated areas for outdoor sports.
An abandoned lot that will become a green lung
According to the technical documentation, the scope of action corresponds to a plot of land without established vegetationThe area is littered with trash, rubble, and the remains of old buildings and walls. Adding to the problem, the sidewalks are very narrow, in some sections less than a meter wide, which complicates pedestrian traffic and accessibility to the immediate surroundings.
The mayor of Granada, Marifrán Carazo, has emphasized that this is “one of those places that had been forgotten for too long”, without activity or urban identity. The municipal intention is that this urban void be transformed into a park fully integrated into the fabric of the neighborhood, designed for residents to use daily and not just as a mere thoroughfare.
The general approach advocates for a naturalized park designwith gently sloping paths and soft paving to facilitate walking and use by people of all ages. The aim is to reduce hard surfaces in favor of landscaped areas, with the idea of improving thermal comfort, increasing available shade, and reinforcing its character as a small green lung within the city.
This change of use, from degraded land to green space, is part of a growing trend in many European cities, where the regeneration of urban voids Through parks and squares, it is considered a key tool to improve the quality of life, reduce heat islands and promote neighborly coexistence in friendlier environments.
Investment, bidding process and planned deadlines for the works
The City Council has put the project out to tender with a base budget of 560.642,49 euros (VAT included) and an estimated completion time of four months from the effective start of the works. The municipal forecast is that, once the tender process is completed and the contract awarded, the works can begin in the first months of 2026, provided that the administrative deadlines are met as planned.
This amount will allow for a comprehensive transformation of the area, from earthmoving and land preparation to the installation of all furniture, playground equipment, lighting and landscaping. The tender has already been publishedThis opens the door for different companies in the sector to submit their proposals to carry out the work.
In terms of urban management, this is a relatively agile project, as it is concentrated in a single, well-defined area and has a short implementation timeline. The City Council is confident that, once the construction period is over, the neighborhood will have [the necessary infrastructure] within a few months. a fully operational park and in conditions suitable for intensive use by the public.
The mayor has emphasized that this investment is not seen as an isolated project, but as part of a larger initiative. broader modernization strategy of streets and public spaces spread throughout Granada, with special attention to improving accessibility and increasing green infrastructure in the city.
Park design: green areas, children's play areas and outdoor sports
The future park on Avenida de Andalucía is configured as a multifunctional space where different uses will coexist: walking, resting, playing, sports and neighborhood meetingOne of the central elements will be the children's playground, which will occupy about 183 square meters, with EPDM-type shock-absorbing pavement and adapted games to facilitate access for girls and boys with different abilities.
Next to the playing area, the following will be set up landscaped seating areasEquipped with benches and updated street furniture, these areas are designed so that families, seniors, and other users can sit, chat, and enjoy the shade of the new trees. The aim is for the park to be not just a place to pass through, but a space to linger and socialize.
The project also incorporates a calisthenics circuitDesigned for those who exercise outdoors, this type of equipment, increasingly common in urban parks in Spain and Europe, allows for strength and mobility training routines without the need to go to a traditional gym, promoting more active and healthy lifestyles among the community.
Regarding the structure of the routes, pedestrian paths with a gentle layout are planned, with a soft pavement that facilitates walking and mobility for people with strollers, wheelchairs or reduced mobility problems. The expansion of the perimeter sidewalks is planned. until reaching around 1,50 meters, which will represent a notable improvement over the current state, in which some sections do not even reach one meter in width.
To reinforce the open and safe nature of the premises, the installation of a perimeter enclosure and the arrangement of access points, so that the park is clearly delimited but maintains good pedestrian permeability with the surrounding streets.
More vegetation, a better microclimate, and efficient lighting
One of the keys to the project will be the creation of a rich and diverse gardenThe planting of mulberry, elm and cinnamon trees is planned, species that provide dense shade in the hot months, as well as pine trees in the hillside areas, in order to reinforce the tree presence and improve the landscape integration of the area.
In addition to the trees, the following will be incorporated hedges and shrubbery These elements will help structure the park's various internal spaces, marking pathways, defining areas for relaxation or play, and adding color throughout the seasons. The aim is not only to enhance the park's aesthetics but also to contribute to urban biodiversity and environmental comfort.
During the first few months, to ensure the proper establishment of the new plantings, the following will be installed: a temporary irrigation systemThis device will allow for better control of the water needs of newly planted species until the vegetation is sufficiently established to require less intensive maintenance.
In terms of lighting, the project includes the complete renovation of the lighting through energy-efficient LED lighting, both inside the park and on the surrounding sidewalks. This option reduces energy consumption and improves light quality, increasing the feeling of safety at night without increasing light pollution.
The existing underground conduits will be adapted and completed to ensure that all installations, from lighting to irrigation, function optimally. In this way, the park is conceived as a modern space also from the point of view of the efficiency of its infrastructure.
A project framed within the framework of sustainable Granada and the Municipal Works Plan
The mayor has insisted that this park will be “a breath of fresh air for the neighborhood” and a tangible step forward in building a more sustainable and livable Granada. The design has been conceived to foster intergenerational coexistence, with separate areas for families with children, senior citizens, athletes, walkers, and users with pets, so that everyone can find their own space without excessive interference.
This action is part of the Municipal Works Plan 2024-2027This urban modernization program, with a budget of approximately €40 million and over 60 projects across the city, aims to improve accessibility, the quality of public spaces, and the environmental sustainability of Granada through initiatives that renovate streets, squares, and degraded areas.
In this context, the transformation of the plot of land on Avenida de Andalucía is presented as an example of replicable urban regeneration In other parts of the city where there are unused or underutilized plots of land, converting these vacant lots into parks and recreational areas is seen as one of the most direct ways to improve the quality of life for residents and move towards a more environmentally friendly urban model.
The project also fits with European policies that promote greener and more resilient citiesThese initiatives, which focus on creating green spaces near homes, improving pedestrian mobility, and reducing transportation-related emissions, are key to Granada's progress toward European standards for a healthier city. Small and medium-sized projects like this, combined with larger-scale initiatives, help bring Granada closer to these European standards for a healthier city.
With the bidding process underway, the municipal expectation is that, once the administrative deadlines have passed and the works have been completed within the planned period, the current vacant lot on Avenida de Andalucía will become a a new landmark for the neighborhood and the citywhere the focus is no longer on rubble and disuse, but on trees, walkways, play areas and the daily life of those who enjoy it every day.
