Palma Gets a Welcoming Park: Tirador Goes Greener — and a Café Is Coming

Palma Gets a Welcoming Park: Tirador Goes Greener — and a Café Is Coming

From the old race oval to a neighborhood oasis: woodland care, heritage conservation and a café in the green

Those who walk their dog in Es Fortí or around Camí de Jesús in the morning may already have seen it: a neglected area with the remains of an old velodrome, a small chalet with columns, a part of the city waiting for a second chance. Now the city, together with neighborhood associations and experts, has a clear plan: the site will become a municipal park with two clearly separated zones, connecting bridges and even a small bar with toilets — all part of the rehabilitation project “La Falca Verde”.

The project aims to create two zones: an area around the former track intended as an experience forest, and a rewilded woodland section. In the track area, the historic trace of the “Voltadora”, the old velodrome, will remain visible. The associated chalet or pavilion, from which spectators once watched the races, will be restored to its original appearance with columns and structure — but without fences, as planned.

During a site inspection attended by city representatives, the project team and members of the neighborhood association, experts explained details of the implementation plan. Attention to local values is noticeable: not everything will be repaved or concreted; rather, the wooded area will be preserved and cared for. This is a cautious, almost old-fashioned way of repairing urban space: not replacing large areas, but improving and making them accessible.

There are practical elements as well: two footbridges are planned to connect the new Tirador Park with the adjacent Canodromo park (the former dog racetrack). For parents it is important that a play area for children is planned; culture enthusiasts are pleased about a space for socio-cultural activities where neighborhood associations and city programs can take place. And yes — in the rewilded section a small bar with toilets is planned, a place to sit briefly after a walk. This mix of recreation, culture and a bit of service makes urban parks in Palma meeting points, not just green spaces.

Less idyllic but real: police presence was necessary during the site visit because people were staying in the building. Homelessness and squatting unfortunately often play a role in urban renewal projects. It is positive that those involved do not ignore this, but acknowledge the situation and plan how a safe, open space can be created.

The benefits for the neighborhood are obvious. For someone living just three minutes from the center, it means not only more green but also opportunities for neighborhood life: concerts under the trees, dance evenings, a morning café for seniors, birthday parties for children or workshops involving local schools. These small everyday moments — children's laughter on the playground, the clink of coffee cups at the bar counter, the rustle of pine needles — make a neighborhood livable.

What also makes the project sympathetic is that it arose from a participatory process in which heritage organisations were involved. Some of the suggestions brought forward at the time were incorporated into the implementation plan, such as protecting the tree stock and preserving the historical identity of the site. This is not only pleasing to the eye, but useful for the city’s microclimate — more shade, fewer heat islands in summer.

A look ahead: for the park to truly be an asset for everyone, maintenance is more important than grand opening days. Practical ideas might include regular planting days with schools, a simple lease agreement for the bar with a social component (job opportunities for residents), rotating weekend use of the socio-cultural space for local initiatives and subtle lighting that at night is considerate of animals and neighbors. Such small steps keep the place alive without overloading it.

In the end, it is above all the nearby things that matter: more green, short distances, shared use. Anyone walking along Camí de Jesús on a Friday evening and hearing voices from the neighborhood center (Casal de Barri) will notice that a park like this supplies the ingredients for neighborhood mix. Not loud, not spectacular, but useful — and that is good urban planning for Palma.

Outlook: If the trees are cared for, the pavilion regains its columns and the bridges keep routes short, the new Tirador Park can become a place where people like to pause. For residents, for nearby students, for someone who just needs a coffee — and yes, for visitors who want to experience a greener Palma.