From one park to another
The 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona represented one of the city's most significant urban regeneration schemes. On the seafront five parks were created on old industrial land in Poblenou: Carles I Park on the new urban plot and, on the coast, Les Cascades Park, Port Olímpic Park, Nova Icària Park and Poblenou Park.
At the moment, we can almost go from one end of Barcelona's seafront to the other completely through parks. This is a very pleasant combination of blue and green that has been growing over the years. This month's proposal leads us through the gardens, almost touching the sea, crossing four of the five parks that make up those which, in 1992, were given the name Coastal Parks.
The 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona represented one of the city's most significant urban regeneration schemes. On the seafront, while the Olympic Village and the Cinturó del Litoral ("Coastal belt") were being built, five parks were created on old industrial land in Poblenou: Carles I Park on the new urban plot and, on the coast, Les Cascades Park, Port Olímpic Park, Nova Icària Park and Poblenou Park. These last four parks make it possible for us to go along the seafront, whether on foot or by bicycle, without leaving the garden areas.
Les Cascades Park
This park, where our tour begins, is an open walkway, a gateway to the Olympic Village and a passageway that leads us to the beaches - the closest being Barceloneta beach - in the middle of dense, typically Mediterranean vegetation.
The park's name comes from the waterfall that descends from a pond where the group of sculptures El poder de la paraula ("The power of words") by Auke de Vries stands out, and just before entering another park a large mask looks down on us from the sky. This is David i Goliat ("David and Goliath") by Antoni Llena. A few steps - or pedals - more and we arrive at the Plaça dels Voluntaris ("Volunteers' square"). On the other side of the square, the next park on the tour awaits us.
Port Olímpic Park
Located in front of the Olympic Port, this green space advances towards the sea in a large curve, offering expansive views of the seafront. At the Plaça dels Voluntaris, the flagpoles where the flags of the countries that participated in the 1992 Olympic Games flew and a sculpture of Cobi, the mascot of the games, recall this great sports event in different areas of the park.
At the beginning of the rows of flagpoles is Marc, a sculpture full of colour, created by painter Robert Llimós in memory of his son Marc, who died in a car accident.
On one side of the walkway, a large pergola becomes a rest area, with benches, a children's play area and terracotta pots in which ornamental plants shine. On the other side, looking out towards the sea, a wide parterre begins, filled with trees, shrubs and palm trees. As we advance through it, it opens up generously to give way to a large semicircular space with pathways, small squares, large expanses of grass and a very long and winding ceramic bench. At the end of the park, after crossing Carrer Arquitecte Sert, we arrive at the third park on our tour.
From one park to another
The 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona represented one of the city's most significant urban regeneration schemes. On the seafront five parks were created on old industrial land in Poblenou: Carles I Park on the new urban plot and, on the coast, Les Cascades Park, Port Olímpic Park, Nova Icària Park and Poblenou Park.