Category: Nature > Park
District: Setúbal > Setúbal > Setúbal > Bonfim
The Várzea Urban Park is located in the Bonfim area, in Setúbal, establishing itself as a significant green lung in the city's urban landscape. Its integration into the urban fabric makes it an easily accessible place for residents and visitors alike.
This substantial space offers an escape and serenity in the heart of a more built-up area, serving as a landmark for moments of rest and interaction with nature within the urban perimeter.
Spanning approximately 19 hectares, Várzea Urban Park is a multifaceted space designed to accommodate various interests. It hosts a diverse range of leisure areas, including an artificial lake that invites tranquility, an educational farm that allows contact with rural life, and fields for sports and adventure activities.
For families, there are playgrounds, while viewpoints scattered throughout the park offer scenic observation points. Various gardens and recreational areas complete the offerings, providing an environment conducive to relaxation and outdoor activities for all ages.
The park's design reflects a tribute to the region's agricultural past, recalling the memory of a former land occupation that included an extensive orange grove. This heritage is visible in the organization of some green areas, which maintain a connection to Várzea's rural tradition.
The naturalistic aspect is a pillar of the park, with an emphasis on water features that act as structural elements of the landscape, contributing to its richness and scenic diversity. Naturalized areas with indigenous species have been created, promoting the interconnection between urban and rural spaces, and making the environment more cohesive and inviting.
The Várzea Urban Park stands out for its innovative character, combining leisure functions with flood prevention in the city. It was designed to function, when necessary, as a rainwater retention basin, protecting Setúbal from floods during periods of intense precipitation. This hydraulic engineering aspect integrates harmoniously with the park's landscape.
Its approach to adaptation and combating climate change earned it recognition from the European Union, which highlighted it as an example of good environmental practice. The park's water circulation system reuses rainwater in reflective pools and water features, providing a sustainable and visually appealing dimension.
Within the Várzea Urban Park lies a unique space: the Twinning Garden. This garden is an area dedicated to the cities with which Setúbal maintains twinning ties.
Here, one can find plant specimens representative of the various partner localities, creating a botanical mosaic that symbolizes international cooperation and cultural exchange through nature.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 38.53320422039673, -8.88771340465211
Coordinates DMS: 38°31'59.5"N 08°53'15.8"W
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