El Ayuntamiento de Salamanca continues to improve the parks and squares of the city to make them healthier and more enjoyable spaces for families to relax and have fun. Mayor Carlos García Carbayo presented today the projects for expanding the children’s play areas in Carmelitas Square and Jesuit Park, the conditioning and improvement of El Baldío Park, and the expansion of the gardens in the San Vicente, Carmelitas, and Doctor Torres Villarroel promenades, with a total bidding base budget of 439,885.27 euros.
Carbayo highlighted that these projects follow the significant investment effort carried out by the Salamanca City Council since 2019 in the renovation of over 70 squares and parks, totaling 11.2 million euros, as part of a total investment in all neighborhoods exceeding 150 million euros.
Carmelitas Square
Firstly, 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 soccer fields next to the church, as it is a highly demanded activity by the young park users.
The interior of the area will have its pavement renewed with a shock-absorbing base and synthetic grass finish to enhance children’s safety. The play equipment will be rearranged 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 passageways, in green and brown tones to blend with the monumental and natural heritage present in the square. The existing zip line and basket swing will be retained.
Simultaneously, accessibility to the entire children’s area will be improved with a new access ramp, new benches for accompanying adults, and the relocation of the existing water fountain to the new entrance. Additionally, the perimeter fencing will be extended to ensure greater safety.
Jesuit Park
Secondly, the project for Jesuit Park, with a budget of 64,998.33 euros and a three-month execution period, includes expanding the children’s play area and conditioning the three zones located next to the sports courts.
In the largest area, with a 1,600 square meter surface adjacent to the railway walkway, new dynamic play equipment such as a quadruple pendulum swing and a wooden pyramid net will be added to offer a wider range of recreational activities.
In the other children’s area next to the railway walkway, 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. The space will also be reorganized to clear all safety zones.
Lastly, the children’s area closest to the sports courts, with a 90 square meter surface, will have its rubber flooring renewed with a shock-absorbing base and synthetic grass finish.
El Baldío Park
On the other hand, the conditioning and improvement of El Baldío Park, with a budget of 84,953.81 euros and a two-month execution period, responds to requests from people who often use it with their pets, as it is a natural area of 10 hectares allowing free animal movement.
The project includes the installation of two large hexagonal pergolas made of laminated Nordic pine wood, with a surface of over 60 square meters, providing shelter from rain or sun during the hottest months.
Another improvement involves installing five picnic tables for park users, expanding the dog shower platform, installing two new water fountains, and placing various large rocks as natural benches strategically positioned under the trees to create shaded seating areas.
Additionally, an artificial wetland of 500 square meters 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.
Lastly, gates with doors will be installed at the entrances leading to Camino de los Frailes, acting as safety vestibules to prevent dogs from escaping in case a door is left open.
San Vicente, Carmelitas, and Doctor Torres Villarroel Promenades
Finally, the project to enhance urban biodiversity in San Vicente, Carmelitas, and Torres Villarroel Promenades, with a budget of 169,970.32 euros and a two-month execution period, involves expanding the green areas according to the Green Infrastructure Strategy, Savia, to contribute to a healthier city with a better quality of life, adapted to the effects of climate change.
These promenades currently have wide boulevards with grass parterres and established trees. Additionally, there are invasive exotic species like ailanthus that need to be removed, as well as several plane trees showing poor conditions due to serious structural issues making them biomechanically unstable.
The planned works include first conditioning all perimeter parterres to add color and attractiveness to the surroundings, creating a natural appeal that enhances the spaces’ aesthetics and provides urban health benefits through the ecosystem services produced by nature.
The planting of 7,600 shrub plants will combine different low-water consumption plant species adapted to Salamanca’s climatic conditions, favoring easier maintenance, predominantly using native species that include shrubs, herbaceous plants, and ground cover plants. Additionally, the presence of beneficial insects for humans that contribute to biological pest control will be encouraged.
Simultaneously, existing parterres will be conditioned by replacing or removing damaged curbs and eliminating invasive exotic species or those posing a potential risk to people and property. Furthermore, resting areas will be expanded with 12 new benches.