The neighbourhoods of Pilarica, Belén and Santos-Pilarica now have a new green space in the east of Valladolid: the urban biological reserve ThymeOn land that for decades was synonymous with abandonment and uncontrolled dumping, today there is a park designed for biodiversity and for the peaceful stroll of the residents.
This space, located between the VA-20 inner ring road, the Juan Carlos I promenade and Universo streetThe park covers approximately 9,3 hectares and has been incorporated into the city's network of green spaces following an environmental intervention costing nearly half a million euros, largely funded by European funds. The project has garnered praise for the regeneration achieved, but also criticism from local residents who are calling for adjustments and greater care in the future.
From degraded landfill to urban biological reserve
For more than two or three decades, the area of Thyme It was practically abandonedThe site had become a dumping ground for rubble and construction debris. When municipal technicians began designing the project, they encountered piles of construction waste that in some places reached up to two meters high, including large concrete blocks that had to be broken up and removed.
The intervention, initiated around March 2024It was conceived as a landmark urban regeneration project: to maintain, as far as possible, the undulating character of the terrain and, at the same time, to renaturalize a severely damaged space through the creation of diverse habitats and areas for citizens to spend time.
The mayor of Valladolid, JesĂşs Julio Carnero, has described El Tomillo as a an example of how the city is moving towards a more sustainable modelwith greater biodiversity and better spaces for daily life. In his statements, he emphasized the contrast between the recent past and the current situation: where deterioration and waste once prevailed, a vibrant park is now being developed, with clear ecological functions and a commitment to being used by local residents.
The project, which originated under the previous municipal government and was completed by the current one, has resulted in a investment of 482.285 eurosPartially financed with European Next Generation funds. The City Council also emphasizes the use of sustainability criteria, such as on-site valuation of part of the rubble to reduce travel and the carbon footprint associated with the project.
A mosaic of habitats for native fauna and flora
The design of the new park has been conceived as a urban biological reserve with different environments Designed for the local flora and fauna. More than a classic ornamental garden, the aim is to create a renaturalized space where natural cycles, pollinators, amphibians, and birds can be observed in an environment relatively close to their original state.
Thyme encompasses several types of habitats: a riverside forest, Mediterranean forest, large massifs of shrubs and aromatic plantsa whirlpool bath, micro reserve intended for butterflies and other pollinators, two amphibian ponds and various drinking fountains for wildlife. In addition to all this, there is a large naturalized meadow of more than 11.700 square meters, which provides ecological continuity and an image closer to a rural landscape than to a conventional urban park.
To structure the area and promote plant diversity, the following have been planted more than 350 trees, around 1.400 shrubs and more than 2.000 aromatic plantsThese latter play a key role in attracting pollinating insects and helping to consolidate the ecosystem that is intended to be fostered in the area.
In addition to the strictly ecological aspect, the project includes a relevant educational component: a "green classroom" for environmental education activities, where associations, schools, and community groups can organize workshops, guided tours, or wildlife monitoring projects. The idea is for El Tomillo to be a place to learn, not just a place for a stroll.
To make the entire area accessible, a network of accessible walkways which connects the different areas of the park and facilitates access from the surrounding neighborhoods. These routes aim to open the space to people of all ages and physical abilities, while maintaining areas of relative tranquility for wildlife.
Technical collaboration and community participation
The design of this new green space has not been solely an institutional initiative. According to the City Council, the planning process involved the participation of various organizations. Association for the Conservation and Study of Nature of Valladolid (ACENVA) and the neighborhood associations of Belén, Pilarica and Santos Pilarica, who had been demanding comprehensive action in this degraded area of ​​the city for years.
The involvement of these groups has helped to guide the project towards renaturalization and social use of the parkwith proposals related to routes, species to be introduced, integration with new residential developments, and the educational role of the environmental classroom. The mayor himself has publicly acknowledged this collaborative work, emphasizing that the improvement of Valladolid is also built upon the commitment of its neighborhoods.
From the Parks and Gardens department, the responsible technician, Boriana Christova, explained that the objective was to restore a badly deteriorated area and connect the new neighborhoods with a green environment which, until now, remained almost a void between the VA-20 and Santos Pilarica. To achieve this, walkways have been designed to guarantee accessibility to the different areas, while maintaining the structure of mounds and reliefs inherited from the old landfill.
The "urban biological reserve" approach implies that, beyond the aesthetic aspect, priority is given to ecological and educational function of the parkHence the importance of the micro-reserve for butterflies and pollinators, the amphibian ponds or the presence of wildlife drinking fountains, elements that are uncommon in more traditional urban parks but are increasingly present in renaturalization projects in Spain and other European cities.
With this intervention, El Tomillo becomes part of the Valladolid's network of green areas as a space with its own personalityThis differs from more ornamental parks. The approach aligns with European trends that prioritize urban biodiversity and adaptation to climate change through more natural green infrastructure and less intensive in traditional maintenance.
Support, criticism, and demands from residents
The opening of the park and the official visit to the new El Tomillo have not been without their nuances. The local neighborhood associations, which have supported the process from the beginning, appreciate that The environment is better than before, and an important step has been taken.However, they also point out shortcomings and differences compared to what had been discussed in previous meetings.
Representatives from the Belén neighborhood, such as Mari knightThey have expressed their dissatisfaction because, as they explain, some of the promised actions have not been carried out as planned. Among their complaints is the choice of vegetation: they believe that not so many have been incorporated thyme plants as expectedThis is something they see as almost symbolic given the historical significance of the place. Even so, they acknowledge that the result represents a substantial change from the previous state of neglect.
The associations emphasize that their goal is to have A park to enjoy with the family, stroll with the children, observe birds and learn about the plantsRather than a space focused on noisy or large-scale activities, they insist that El Tomillo should not be transformed into a kind of theme park or an area for intensive play, but rather maintained as a naturalized environment where respect and tranquility prevail.
Another recurring point in the residents' requests is the need for monitoring and continuous maintenanceGiven the park's somewhat isolated location from the town center, there are concerns that it could become a hotspot for drinking in public or late-night gatherings, ultimately damaging the area. Some spokespeople, such as members of the Santos Pilarica Association, consider the current action a "starting point" that must be accompanied by increased maintenance, monitoring, and, if necessary, a municipal presence to prevent further deterioration.
In conversations with the mayor, several associations have asked in detail about the total budget invested and by future phases which could be addressed in the medium term. Although they value the investment of 482.285 euros and the visible change, they demand that their proposals be given more consideration and that the dialogue not end with this first phase of the biological reserve.
A new green space for Valladolid with a vision for the future
The El Tomillo urban biological reserve thus joins the growing number of parks and renaturalized areas that, in recent years, have been changing the landscape of many Spanish and European cities. In this case, Valladolid is the beneficiary. nine hectares of green space in an area that was once synonymous with rubble, with an intervention that combines ecological restoration, citizen use and social participation.
With its diverse habitats, amphibian ponds, pollinator micro-reserve, naturalized meadow, and green classroom, the park aspires to become a local landmark for nature observation in the heart of the city and for carrying out educational activities with schools, associations and groups interested in the environment.
At the same time, the project leaves several issues open that the city will have to resolve over time: from How to ensure proper maintenance and effective monitoringThe question remains: to what extent can improvements requested by the neighborhoods be introduced, such as a greater presence of thyme or other specific species? The response to these demands will largely determine the residents' perception of a project that, on paper, is intended to be long-term.
Thyme symbolizes the transformation of a marginal space into a vibrant and useful parkThis is the result of a significant investment, the involvement of technicians and environmental organizations, and the pressure and interest of local residents. Time will tell if this urban biological reserve will become one of Valladolid's most cherished landmarks or if it will require further modifications to fully meet the expectations of the city's residents for this new green space in the east.
