The Salamanca City Council will present four projects for approval in the Environmental Committee next Wednesday to improve squares and parks in the capital with a total budget of 439,885.27 euros.
Mayor Carlos García Carbayo has introduced the projects, which include expanding the children’s play areas in Carmelitas Square and the Jesuit Park, improving El Baldío Park, and expanding the gardens in the San Vicente, Carmelitas, and Doctor Torres Villarroel promenades. These projects are expected to be completed by the end of the year, with execution periods ranging from two to three months.
Carbayo emphasized that these projects continue the significant investment effort made by the Salamanca City Council since 2019 in renovating over 70 squares and parks, totaling 11.2 million euros, as part of a total investment in all neighborhoods exceeding 150 million euros.
The increase in green areas in Salamanca, as highlighted by Carbayo, reflects the City Council’s commitment to having «a greener city that can tackle climate change.»
The renovation of the children’s play area in Carmelitas Square, with a budget of 119,962.81 euros and a three-month execution period, involves expanding the area to 700 square meters by adding two mini football fields next to the church.
The interior of the area will see the pavement upgraded with a shock-absorbent base and synthetic grass finish, and the play equipment will be reorganized with the addition of two new trampolines, a carousel, a seesaw, and a large play structure for 28 people, consisting of two towers, various stairs, slides, and walkways in green and brown tones. The existing zip line and swing basket will be retained.
Additionally, accessibility to the entire children’s area will be improved with a new access ramp, new benches for children’s companions, and the relocation of the existing drinking fountain to the new entrance. Furthermore, the perimeter fencing will be expanded.
INTERVENTION AT LOS JESUITAS
Secondly, the project for the Jesuit Park, with a budget of 64,998.33 euros and a three-month execution period, includes expanding the children’s play area and improving the three zones next to the sports courts. In the largest area, covering 1,600 square meters adjacent to the path alongside the railway, new dynamic play equipment such as a quadruple pendular swing and a wooden pyramid net will be added.
In the other children’s area next to the railway, covering 700 square meters, the current wooden play structure will be replaced with a larger one, accommodating 28 children, composed of two towers, various stairs, slides, and passageways. Additionally, the space will be reorganized to clear all safety zones.
Lastly, in the children’s area closest to the sports courts, covering 90 square meters, the rubber pavement will be upgraded with a shock-absorbent base and synthetic grass finish.
Regarding the improvement of El Baldío Park, with a budget of 84,953.81 euros and a two-month execution period, it responds to requests from people who often use it with their pets, as it is a natural area of 10 hectares allowing free movement of animals.
The project includes installing two large hexagonal pergolas made of laminated pine wood, covering over 60 square meters, to provide shelter from rain or sun.
ADAPTATION
Another improvement involves installing five picnic tables for park users, expanding the dog shower platform, installing two new drinking fountains, and placing large rocks as natural benches strategically under the trees.
Additionally, a 500 square meter artificial wetland will be created where the old pond was to promote biodiversity in the area, in line with the Green Infrastructure Strategy, Savia, to contribute to an even healthier city with a higher quality of life. Gates with doors will also be installed at entrances leading to Camino de los Frailes, acting as security vestibules.
Finally, the project to enhance urban biodiversity in the San Vicente, Carmelitas, and Torres Villarroel promenades, with a budget of 169,970.32 euros and a two-month execution period, includes expanding the landscaped areas in accordance with the Green Infrastructure Strategy, Savia.
These promenades currently feature wide boulevards with grassy areas and established trees. Additionally, there are invasive exotic species like ailanthus that need to be removed, as well as several shade plane trees in poor condition due to serious structural issues making them biomechanically unstable.
The planned work includes first conditioning all perimeter grassy areas. Planting 7,600 shrubs will involve a mix of different low-water-consumption plant species adapted to Salamanca’s climatic conditions. Simultaneously, existing grassy areas will be improved by replacing or removing damaged curbs, removing invasive exotic species or those posing a potential risk to people and property, and expanding rest areas with 12 new benches.