The Barcelona City Council has approved a €3.3 million project. It will open the Font del Carbó gardens within Park Güell. This transforms a previously closed area into a new community space for residents and visitors. The extensive renovation will take two years, converting the site into a multi-purpose public amenity.

The Ajuntament de Barcelona awarded the €3,337,261 renovation contract on 14 April to M. i J. Grúas. This significant investment will reclaim a vital neighbourhood space for citizens. The project will introduce an auditorium, a multi-purpose area, and shaded zones. It also includes urban gardens, a small square, and a slide. The council stated the gardens will be "a space with several meeting points."

The new auditorium addresses a long-standing demand from local residents. The project will also restore the emblematic Font del Carbó, which gives the gardens their name. Additionally, it will plant new vegetation and restore existing Via Crucis chapels and dry stone walls.

Thirteen construction companies submitted proposals for the competitive tender. These included major firms accustomed to working with Catalan public administrations. The gardens currently sit within the Gaudí-designed Park Güell but remain inaccessible to the public. Their steep terrain presents a significant engineering challenge for the redevelopment.

Enhancing Park Güell's Public Spaces

The project underwent an extensive public participation process, concluding in 2023. This process gathered input from residents regarding the future of the space. The renovation aims to facilitate transversal neighbourhood connections. It will link Rambla Mercedes and Calle Antequera.

This specific renovation forms part of a larger €39 million investment plan for Park Güell between 2023 and 2027. The plan allocates €24.2 million for improvements inside the park itself. Another €13.5 million targets the surrounding areas. Over €1.2 million will fund cultural and museum programmes.

The majority of these investments come from the park's own activities. Tourist visits and commercial promotions generate the necessary funds. Approximately €14 million will enhance infrastructure. This includes lighting for main pathways and a park-wide Wi-Fi network.

Sustainable Infrastructure and Heritage Restoration

Significant investments are also improving the irrigation system. This aims for greater efficiency, minimising water consumption. It also maximises the use of rainwater. A recently initiated irrigation project alone costs almost €4 million.

Moreover, the project will restore the Font del Carbó fountain, the Via Crucis chapels, and the dry stone walls. It will ensure green spaces and conserve the area's biodiversity. These efforts preserve the park's heritage while modernising its facilities.

Expanding City Assets and Visitor Management

Over €10 million is allocated for new equipment and acquisitions. This includes the expropriation of Casa Trias. The city will convert Casa Trias into public heritage. Funds also cover improvements to Casa del Guarda and Casa Museu. A new technical centre for park services is also planned.

The public company Barcelona de Serveis Municipals (BSM), which manages Park Güell, also acquired La Miranda. This property, located on Avenida del Coll del Portell, is a 455-square-metre plot. It will provide additional community and public facilities.

Investments in Park Güell's maintenance and improvement have increased fivefold over the past decade. The park currently receives around 4.5 million visitors annually. This figure is less than half of the 2012 peak. Eighty-seven percent of visitors pay an entrance fee. Local residents can access the park for free. The park now sells all tickets online, eliminating previous long queues.

The two-year construction period will transform the Font del Carbó gardens. Once complete, this new public space will offer enhanced recreational and community facilities. It will provide a valuable new asset for Barcelona's residents and visitors within the iconic Park Güell.

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Originally published by Metrópoli Abierta - Urban Life. Read original article.