LA ALAMEDILLA PARK

In the second half of the 19th century, Salamanca wanted to join the winds of modernity circulating throughout Europe. Modernity implied a series of infrastructure improvements and providing the city with green areas for citizens' recreation. The City Council acquired some land northwest of the Puerta de Toro; the black poplars planted there naturally christened that corner as La Alamedilla.

La Alamedilla was inaugurated in 1863, becoming the reference park for Salamanca residents, displacing Campo de San Francisco and even the Plaza Mayor itself. Gradually, the City Council equipped the park with infrastructure (benches, lighting, a bandstand moved from the Plaza Mayor, a lake with fish...). With the turn of the century, La Alamedilla became an epicenter of cultural activities, including screenings of the newly invented cinematograph.

But after the splendor came a period of decline: the lake dried up, the trees sickened with Dutch elm disease, and lack of maintenance plunged the park into slow deterioration. Part of its area was dedicated to building “The Schools of La Alamedilla”. Neglect reached such a point that in 1920, the local press even suggested its disappearance to build a modern neighborhood. But in the 1920s, the park was reborn: its paths were redesigned, irrigation was optimized, and a rose garden with over 700 rose bushes was planted. The bandstand, which had returned to the Plaza in 1906, was moved back to La Alamedilla, becoming the heart of the park until its demolition in 1963. In the 1930s, a children's area with swings and a pond-pool was added. However, during these years, the park's area was reduced due to concessions from the City Council for the construction of the Elementary School of Work and the Maternal Garden.

During the 1950s, a municipal sports field was built, which would eventually become the origin of the future Municipal Sports Pavilion. In the 1960s, the park opened up to the city: the surrounding wall was torn down, a fountain with jets up to 12 meters high was designed, an open-air auditorium, a small zoo, and several sculptures by the Salamanca sculptor Agustín Casillas ('Pair of Deer', 'Diana the Huntress', 'Rape of Europa' and 'Reclining Woman') were placed. A bar and an innovative children's area with slides, seesaws, and gymnastic games made La Alamedilla a benchmark for family leisure. In 1964, the sports pavilion was inaugurated with a national roller hockey tournament.

Although in subsequent years Salamanca would see new and important green spaces emerge, La Alamedilla did not lose its popularity. The park was modernized and the children's area was updated with safer games. In the 90s, a heated swimming pool was built. Already in the 21st century, the park has adapted to new sustainability criteria. Between 2014 and 2015, pedestrian paths were widened, a jet fountain with low-consumption LED lights was installed, the lake was restored, and the aviary was transformed into an island connected by walkways and adorned with a pergola. The irrigation system began to be managed intelligently, and new children's games and bio-healthy equipment made the park an inclusive space.

In conclusion, La Alamedilla Park was born as a symbol of 19th-century modernity and has survived the passage of time because its managers have known how to adapt it to the changes society has demanded at each moment. Despite its continuous transformations, it has maintained its essence as a historic garden, today populated with 391 specimens belonging to 44 tree species.

La Alamedilla Park has an area of approximately 24,000 m², distributed among landscaped areas, pedestrian paths, an artificial lake, and a large children's area. Its design combines circular and radial paths that converge in a central square presided over by a modern fountain with LED lighting and interactive jets.

NATURE AND ARBOREAL HERITAGE The park is home to 391 trees of 44 different species, with the plane tree being the predominant species, followed by red firs, cypresses, Himalayan cedars, black yews, etc.. Among them, the emblematic Cedar of Lebanon stands out, known as the “Pine of San José”, over 125 years old and with an impressive trunk perimeter of 4.3 meters, considered part of Salamanca's natural heritage. In 2016, a special planting of 20 trees of different species was carried out, among which two sequoias reproduced in the municipal nursery from cuttings of the historic specimen from the University of Salamanca stand out.

POND AND FAUNA At the heart of the park is an artificial pond where ducks, geese, and swans swim freely. The old aviary has been replaced by a pedestrian island with a modern pergola and two access walkways. Although no longer present, many fondly remember the peacocks that once roamed freely through the gardens and the cages that housed fawns and other animals that delighted Salamanca's children.

CHILDREN'S AREA AND OUTDOOR SPORTS In the northernmost part is the children's area, completely fenced and equipped with rubber flooring and artificial turf to ensure the safety of the little ones. It has 36 play elements that comply with current regulations. As a reminder of the past, the iconic concrete train from 1961 has been preserved, an endearing symbol of the park. In addition, next to the sports center, a bio-healthy equipment area has been installed, designed to promote outdoor exercise among adults and the elderly.

SERVICES AND ENVIRONMENT Along the path, there are benches and shaded areas that invite peaceful strolls and relaxation. Between the park and the train tracks are the sports center and the heated swimming pools, which complement the area's sports offerings. On the other hand, next to Paseo de Canalejas is a cafeteria with a large terrace, protected by a pergola and surrounded by trees that offer shade and coolness on the hottest days.