Parque de la Gavia

Located in El Ensanche de Vallecas, covering an area of around 36 hectares, this is one of the most important green areas in Vallecas and is classed as one of Madrid’s ‘singular parks’, along with El Retiro and El Parque Juan Carlos I. It was initially designed by renowned Japanese architect, winner of the Priztker Prize in 2013, Toyo Ito, and it was completed and modified by another designer chosen as part of a participatory public process following years of neglect.

This oriental inspired garden features gentle hills with woodlands, populated by a number of different species including white poplars, quince trees, holm oaks, and black poplars, with a central river banked by clumps of bushes such as wild roses, water willows, and other riverbank species.

The park is also home to 3322 trees, 170,742 bushes, 7460 m2 of lawn, and 36 000 m2 of meadowland, 1 area for dogs, 4 children’s play areas, and 9 sports areas, all with new sports and games equipment.

From the hills, you can take in the landscape from different perspectives and heights, and each hill has its own purpose:

• Plaza del agua: On this hill, water is the key element. From here you can take in views of the whole park, and it is a magnificent meeting point for various activities. It is the only area with hard landscaping and pavement in the park (but designed in accordance with sustainable urban drainage criteria).

• Sensory Woodland: the pathways wind round amorphous landscaping that leads to different play areas:

• • Integration Area: Designed to stimulate the senses, encourage physical exercise, creativity, and fantasy, as well as develop balance, motor skills and coordination, fostering the full inclusion of all children regardless of physical or intellectual capacity, so that everyone can play and interact in the same environment.

  • Adventure Zone: making the most of the different heights of the terrain, this area includes slides, zip wires, and multi-adventure play areas in the shape of giant bamboo.

  • Sensory Area: Children’s play area designed to appeal to the senses: musical instruments, tactile sensory games, and activities, etc.

  • Water tree: The water tree is made up of geometric pools surrounded by 6 squares: 3 of them are landscaped, creating a similar look and feel to a Japanese garden, restrained and elegant, and the other three have various spaces for different uses: picnic tables, exercise areas for seniors, etc.

  • Central river: it begins at a small waterfall by Avenida Mayorazgo, flowing east to west and out into a lake. It divides the space into two areas joined by two footbridges, and around it there is a walkway planted with riverbank trees and bushes.

• Hill on wheels: Space dedicated to various sport on wheels: cycling, skating, etc.

• Recycling hill: Created for the purpose of educating about the reuse of objects and learning to value and take care of our natural environment. Next to the recycling hill is a climbing zone with a vertical climbing wall at different heights for all ages, and next to this there is a parkour area.

• Windy hill: Free area dedicated to kite flying.

• Stargazing platform: This multi-purpose area can be a meeting point and also, at the southernmost tip, it provides a space to gaze up at the sky and the stars.

• Sports area: green area designed for people to enjoy sports, located next to the roof of the stormwater detention vault. There is a training area and multipurpose sports courts. 

• Area for dogs: Over the stormwater detention vault there is a large area for dog training.

The park also borders the green space included in La Atalayuela estate, giving a total area of around 48.6 hectares.