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ARCHIVED - Benidorm transforms El Moralet park into a 100 hectare green oasis
New recreational areas and 17km of paths and routes have been created at the natural space in the Marina Baixa town, Alicante province
Months of work at Benidorm's El Moralet park, described as the green lung of the resort tucked neatly between skyscrapers and sports courts, has culminated in the unveiling of a spectacular 100 hectare oasis for residents and visitors alike.
The "new natural belt" now joins three popular residential and leisure areas - Avenida Beniardà, Foietes and Poniente - and boasts a 17km network of paths and routes for pedestrians and cyclists that aims to bring "locals and tourists closer to nature", according to the Town Hall.
The 908,000-euro project to improve the "environment and public use" of the El Moralet area began in December as part of Benidorm's Sustainable and Integrated Urban Development Strategy (EDUSI).
"The aim was to enhance the value of the town's main natural green area and improve its appeal to residents and visitors. The work has now been completed with three main entrances to this natural area," said the local authority.
The first entrance is from the public car park in Avenida Beniardà; the second, which was already there but has now been adapted, is from the Colonia Madrid-Foietes neighbourhood next to the Guillermo Amor Sports Complex; and a third access is in the Poniente area.
"More than one million square metres of natural area have been made accessible, safe and comfortable for the enjoyment of the public," explained Benidorm Mayor, Toni Pérez visiting the park following the completion of the works this week.
"Three recreational areas include all kinds of urban furniture and features, including tables, chairs and children's play areas with swings, zip lines and calisthenics elements," he added.
But the biggest improvement has been the rehabilitation of some 10 kilometres of paths and 7 kilometres of trails, creating and signposting three new circuits of varying difficulty for hiking, walking or mountain biking.
These routes were developed in collaboration with sports clubs, including Benidorm Athletics Club and Benidorm Cycling Club.
"One of the most pleasant and attractive routes is the old railway line," according to the mayor. The trackbed has been recycled to create fences and a wide and accessible path so that "everyone of all abilities can enjoy El Moralet".
"By reusing the material that already existed on the route and displacing it to other points in the park we have avoided unnecessary fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. These works have also had an impact on the environmental rehabilitation of the site to protect it against climate change," said Pérez
For example, a firebreak has been created to prevent environmental disasters in the event of fires, eroded areas have been replanted, bird shelters have been restored, and water hydrants have been installed at two of the access points to quickly extinguish potential blazes using water from the canal.
Image: Ayuntamiento de Benidorm
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