The project, with a budgeted investment of 20,500.47 euros, is part of the municipal commitment to renaturalizing public spaces and joins the initiatives of 'Catarroja en verd,' a campaign promoted by the Department of Parks and Gardens.
The plan involves constructing two islands, approximately seven meters long, one meter wide, and one meter high, using stone structures and metal gabions. These will support the planting of vegetation adapted to aquatic environments, including 300 specimens: 200 yellow irises (Iris pseudacorus) and 100 brooklime (Veronica beccabunga).
The new vegetation will create refuge areas for fauna, improve the ecological environment, and enhance the park's landscape value. The work, scheduled for eight weeks, will include temporarily draining the lake, building the structures, planting selected species, and subsequently restoring the area.
“"With this action, we want to continue transforming our public spaces to make them greener, more vibrant, and more respectful of nature. It's not just about adding plants or beautifying a park, but about recovering biodiversity, creating new habitats, and understanding that nature must also have its space within our town."
Martí Raga, Councillor for Parks and Gardens, highlighted that the recent DANA (storm) has underscored the need to rethink our relationship with the territory, emphasizing that reconstruction should be an opportunity to build a more resilient, sustainable Catarroja, better prepared for climate change challenges.
Parc de les Barraques is among the public spaces Catarroja is continuing to restore following the October 2024 flood. Enhancing its lake offers a chance to incorporate new natural elements that promote biodiversity and strengthen the environmental value of this area.
“"Parc de les Barraques is a much-loved space in Catarroja, and we want it to remain a meeting point for residents, but also an environment where fauna and vegetation take center stage. Restoring our parks also means caring for the life they host and ensuring future generations can enjoy quality natural spaces."
Through the creation of these vegetated islands, Catarroja City Council reaffirms its commitment to recovering areas affected by the DANA by incorporating sustainability, biodiversity, and climate adaptation criteria, aiming to restore nature's prominence as a fundamental element of citizen well-being.
