Sa Feixina is being spruced up: benches, paths and more shade for the Paseo

Sa Feixina is being spruced up — and you can tell

If you stroll along the Paseo in the mornings these days, you immediately notice something: it smells of fresh paint. Not a noisy large-scale project, but craftsmen with brushes and rakes bringing the small but much-used Sa Feixina park into shape. From repainted benches to repaired paths to playground maintenance — the measures are low-key but noticeable.

Why this is more than just appearance

Such works may sound trivial, but for the people in the neighbourhood they are important. A smooth path means strollers, rollators and cyclists can pass safely again. Freshly painted benches suffer less from the salty sea air and last longer. That is practical everyday benefit — and it makes the park more inviting.

The playground is also receiving attention: wobbly wooden parts are being repaired, slides and climbing frames are being repainted. Parents had been making ad-hoc fixes in recent months; now the city administration is stepping in, as covered in Residents protest Christmas market in Sa Feixina Park. The goal is clear: functional equipment where children can play carefree again.

A bit more shade, please

One point that residents particularly welcome: fast-growing climbing plants are to be planted on the pergolas so that there will be more shade already by next summer. That may sound like future talk, but it is practical: a cooler place to sit on hot days is a real gain for many. Last week I sat there next to an older gentleman with an espresso who praised exactly that — a place to rest without feeling like you're roasting in the sun.

Practical details: The works are being carried out in stages so the park does not have to be completely closed. Early risers encounter workers with buckets and rollers; in the afternoons you will soon hear children laughing again. The city has promised to post notices about any short-term closures so that no one is surprised; see also Sa Feixina grows quieter: Music at the Christmas market sharply limited.

How the neighbourhood benefits

Sa Feixina is small but central — within walking distance of the harbour, museums and the Paseo Marítimo: Palma's new green oasis — but who will maintain it?. Joggers, office workers on lunch break, older neighbours and tourists all use the green space. When benches are maintained and paths are safe, it changes the quality of everyday life: breaks last longer, encounters happen more often. It's easy to underestimate how much positive energy a seemingly minor upgrade can generate.

It's not about pompous art objects or huge investments. It's about basics: safety, cleanliness and comfort. Especially in an island city like Palma, where the weather draws many people outdoors, such fundamental works are often what actually improves quality of life.

What residents should know now

Anyone planning to pass through Sa Feixina in the coming weeks should watch for signage. There will be occasional closures, but they usually affect only individual areas. The work is scheduled to be brief; the city wants to avoid keeping the park restricted longer than necessary. One small tip: don't sit on a freshly painted bench straight away — it will be all the more comfortable once the paint has dried.

And one more practical note: if you have an idea which plants would do well on the pergolas, or if you'd like to help with watering — the neighbourhood thrives on community. A short chat with the workers or a note to the municipality can often make a difference.

Quick tip: In the late afternoon, when the sun tilts and the gulls cry over the harbour, it's worth taking a stroll: the freshly painted benches, the clean paths and the scent of earth at the pergolas turn an ordinary walk into a small feel-good experience.

All in all, it's a sensible, down-to-earth action — nothing to throw street parties for, but something that makes everyday life better. In Palma it's often the small things that count: a repaired path, a shady spot, a place where you gladly stay an hour longer.