Benicalap Park: Expanding Valencia’s ‘Green Lungs’

Valencia’s plans for greener development and sustainability extends towards Benicalap with an expansion of Benicalap park to take place with a €9m investment plan, says Daniel Hazelhoff… 

A new investment plan for Benicalap park has been approved. The plan is to be led by Sandra Gómez, councillor for development and urban renewal. Gómez will also be working with Miquel Del Rey, an architect who will be designing the basic project. To begin with, the city council has earmarked a budget of €9m. The project will roll out a three-phase plan. 

Benicalap Park
Artist’s impression: how the developed park will look

The first phase will involve key cultural heritage sites around the old Camí de Burjassot. The second phase will deal with agrarian areas and archaeological elements within the zone. And finally, the third phase will implement leisure and play areas, as well as gardens and sports zones. 

How green is my valley

Valencia’s steps toward a greener, more sustainable city are noticeable. Benicalap park is one of the bigger green areas this city has. Therefore its development will help “surround the city with a greener lung, helping reduce carbon emissions,” says Gómez. 

And it is an ambitious project. As a result, the development will take place over 70,000 sq m. It will eventually expand up to 113,647 sq m. The aim to to create new green zones, public areas that promote leisure and play for Benicalap park and connected areas. It will respect the nature and importance of La Huerta, protecting its surroundings within this new development. The project defines itself of an “agrarian character”, says Gómez. It intends to respect existing arable land and ensure its survival as a centre for for arable production. It seeks to restore old paths and to renew irrigation ditches. The plan as is stands devotes one-third of the total project to agriculture. 

Map of Benicalap Park
Parklife: Mapping the changes in Benicalap Park

Gómez added that she wishes to restore the rural, traditional farmhouses – alquerías – of Moro, La Torre and el Casino del Americano as part of the Benicalap park renewal. However, this part of the plan remains under assessment. 

Intriguingly, it will separate the expanded green zone La Ronda natural wall. And it will reserve the northernmost part for a new skate park, an area for petanca and sporting areas as well as sporting fields. 

The area will develop fields, plots and surrounding buildings. All in all, the project’s aim is to develop the 70,000 sq m of Benicalap park. Eventually, it will unite Benicalap and La Ciudad Fallera.

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