The city of Almeria has made a big push in recent years to increase the number of green spaces available to its citizens and visitors. This initiative was part of the city’s sustainability program which included revamping abandoned plains within the city’s jurisdiction and turning them into public spaces. Parque de las Familias is the latest park to become part of the verdant network of urban parks. The impressive park is a giant playground that is about the size as 15 football stadiums. This is the perfect destination for any family visiting Almeria with children.
Read on to discover why your children will have a blast at this unique space, uniquely designed to delight the little ones.
Parque de las Familias: the sound of laughter
The park is located right in the city of the centre and occupies what was once plastic-covered cropland. However, before it became a park, there were several football fields and basketball courts, which were where the Saturday outdoor market used to be held. The space also hosted the Feria de Almería until the new site was established.
The park was initially called Ciudad de los Niños before becoming officially Parque de las Familias. The project began in 2012 when the city decided to build a large green area with a children’s playground. This represented a €11 million investment which would be rolled out into two phases. Phase I involved designing an extensive park which would open in 2014. Phase II has yet to begin – an architectural firm has just recently been awarded the contract.
The park’s key attractions
The park was a huge success when it opened its doors. It even was named Best Children’s Playground in Spain in 2016. The carefully thought out space was designed to comply with one pre-requisite: a family-fun experience had to be guaranteed.
The park boasts is truly a multi-faceted space where people of all ages can come enjoy their favourite activities. There are playgrounds for young children; exercise areas for retirees; and bike paths for the entire family. The park is bounded by a fence and is closed at night
Each of the four playgrounds was designed as an ode to the city of Almeria, the province and its heritage. The first two playgrounds recreate the Alcazaba of Almeria and pay tribute to the Tabernas Desert and the importance the film industry with a peculiar multi-coloured monument made out of celluloid and a climbing wall. The rest of the features are reminiscent of Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park . It even includes a lighthouse- and ship-inspired toboggan where children can climb up and pretend they are just like the pirates that threatened Almeria centuries ago. The park also has an educational purpose: there is an area where children learn about the importance of sustainable environmental practices and recycling. Children love bouncing around, and the enormous bouncy mat is a firm favourite.
Water runs through the centre of the park in a pleasant channel was designed in line with the Andalusian-styled gardens that can be found in Granada. The water streams from an oversized fountain shaped like a globe located in the middle of the park – a real hit among children for the jets of water and the light show at sundown. The park is also equipped with rest areas and food stands. If you’d like a sit-down meal, there are several restaurants and cafés just around the corner from the park – remember, you are right in the city centre! The multi-coloured bike path puns around the park. There are about 500 trees currently planted but that number will rise to 1,200 when Phase II is completed.
Phase II kick-off
The park will actually double in size once Phase II is completed. This will make the park the largest children’s playground in all of southern Spain.
Phase II involves extending the current channel so that it flows in a yet-to-be-built lake; erecting an amphitheatre; and building an English-style garden. There would even be areas designed to suit the interests of teenagers. The goal is build an urban park that is accessible and inclusive.
Other visit-worthy parks in the city
The city boasts another parks and greens spaces albeit not quite as large! Read on to discover what else the city has to offer!
The botanical gardens of El Boticario
More than 1,300 trees, 74 types of plants and 2,000 shrubs make up this 14-hectare urban oasis. El Boticario (Barrio Boticario 735) houses flora native to Almeria so visitors can see plants from the desert, mountain and coast. There are even orange trees and ponds to recreate Moorish-style gardens. There are also several play areas equipped with slides, swings and monkey-swing bars for children to enjoy. The gardens are surrounded by a sea of plastic-covered greenhouses – a curious sight for sure.
Parque Nicolás Salmerón
Parque Nicolás Salmerón is the oldest park of the city. It is located just across from the Port of Almeria and is named after a distinguished 19th-century politician. This is your classic example of a turn-of-the-century park with fountains, ponds and landscaped flower beds. Fun fact: it appears in one of the scenes in the film Lawrence of Arabia.
Parque Andarax
Parque Andarax is located at the western bank of the mouth of the Andarax River and is the city’s largest green space. It occupies an impressive 77 hectares and includes a dog park, a large lake, bike paths, and several fountains. There is also an area where you can barbeque.
