€2.6m Boost for Metropolitan Green Spaces
The Àrea Metropolitana de Barcelona (AMB) has begun upgrades this September at three parks in the Baix Llobregat region: Parc del Castell in Castelldefels, Parc de la Solana in Sant Andreu de la Barca, and Parc del Pont de la Cadena in Molins de Rei. The combined investment totals approximately €2.59 million, with work focusing on energy efficiency, accessibility, sustainable water management, and new leisure facilities. Two of the parks, Parc del Castell and Parc de la Solana, are part of the Xarxa de Parcs Metropolitans (Metropolitan Parks Network) and are fully managed by the AMB. Parc del Pont de la Cadena is municipally managed by Molins de Rei town council, while the AMB is responsible for designing and executing the improvement works.
Enhanced Lighting and Security at Parc del Castell
In Castelldefels, the Parc del Castell is undergoing significant upgrades to its lighting infrastructure. A total of 119 existing light points will be replaced and 30 new ones installed, all using high-efficiency LED technology. The project, budgeted at €307,074.86 and funded through the Pla de Sostenibilitat Ambiental, includes intelligent lighting controls to adjust brightness at night, reducing energy use, light pollution and glare. The park has also received a new 900-metre perimeter fence with eight access gates, constructed from Corten steel to match existing park elements. This safety improvement cost €364,999.21 and was completed over eight months.
The aim is to reduce energy consumption and light pollution while improving user safety and comfort.
Major 12,900m² Overhaul at Parc de la Solana
Sant Andreu de la Barca’s Parc de la Solana is receiving the most extensive renovation, covering around 12,900 square metres at a cost of €1,396,364.82. Of this, €242,451.54 comes from the PACTE (Programme for Territorial Cohesion Actions) and €1,153,913.28 from municipal funding. Works are expected to last eight months. The redesign includes replacing hard surfaces in Mercè Rodoreda Square with permeable paving and new vegetation. A regulation basketball court with small stands, fitness equipment, and an expanded, age-diverse children’s play area will be added. Two dog exercise zones, one for large dogs and one for small, will be lit and equipped with benches and water fountains. New pathways, seating, bins, bike racks, trees and shrubs will enhance shade and usability. Rainwater will be channelled into infiltration zones to support plant life and groundwater recharge.
New Guingueta and Play Features at Pont de la Cadena
In Molins de Rei, the Parc del Pont de la Cadena is completing its transformation with a €524,381.90 investment over six months. A key addition is a prefabricated guingueta, a Catalan-style outdoor kiosk, under the central pergola, including a café, kitchen, storage, and two toilets (one adapted). The area will be paved to host community events such as dances and concerts. The children’s area will expand with age-specific play equipment, a rock-climbing wall, and two table tennis tables. Shading will improve through additional tree planting, and a shrub belt will separate play zones from nearby traffic. Works also include accessibility upgrades, repairs to degraded permeable paving, lighting adjustments for new uses, and expanded irrigation, drainage, and utility networks to support the guingueta.
Metropolitan Strategy for Greener, More Usable Parks
These projects align with the AMB’s broader strategy to enhance metropolitan green spaces by integrating sustainability, accessibility, and community use. Measures such as energy-efficient lighting, rainwater management, increased vegetation, and inclusive facilities reflect a commitment to environmental and social resilience across the region. Residents can follow progress and access official documentation via the AMB’s public space projects page.
Reported by elbaix.cat, 3.amb.cat, El Periódico, La Vanguardia, amb.cat, recam.amb.cat, sabarca.cat, Radio Sant Andreu, diaridesantandreu.com, transparencia.amb.cat, memoria2019.amb.cat, molinsderei.cat, viumolinsderei.com, lavanguardia.com, blogs.amb.cat, pam.amb.cat.
