Parque del Buen Retiro, Madrid
The Buen Retiro Park is one of the largest parks in the heart of Madrid. The park has a rich history: it was once home to the Buen Retiro Palace of Philip IV, of which only two buildings remain. In 2021, the Buen Retiro Park, combined with the Paseo del Prado (boulevard), became part of the UNESCO World Heritage list.
Renovation of the main entrance route
The TreeParker® system was implemented during the renovation of Paseo de México – the main entrance route – to combine the atmosphere of the past with the most modern techniques. In July 2019, work began to improve the busy route between the main entrance, the Puerta de Alcalá, and the Galápagos pond, commissioned by the city council. Due to the intensive use of the promenade, a technical floor was chosen to prevent soil compaction and create a continuous draining pavement for rain infiltration.
Unexpected excavations during work
During the work, archaeological remains from the 17th century were discovered: Río Chico, an important supply route built between 1634 and 1636. Because of these unexpected excavations, landscape architects opted for the TreeParker® system. The main reason for this was the flexibility and adaptability of TreeParker® in unexpected underground conditions. In addition, TreeParker® is suitable for permeable pavement, allowing rainwater to reach tree roots through the pavement.
Adjustable height of TreeParker®
Originally, the height of the rootable space was set at 100 cm, but in some places, this turned out to be unfeasible. City archaeologists decided to leave the 17th-century road intact without further damage. In consultation with the City of Madrid, the involved landscape architects, and TreeBuilders, it was agreed to adjust the height of the system. The TreeParker® system is easily adjustable in height and could be installed without problems between the two roads. On-site, the drawings were adjusted, and the work could be resumed immediately.
Historic park with healthy trees
In the winter of 2020, the trees in Parque del Buen Retiro were planted with more than 40 m³ of available soil per tree. Two years after the installation, in 2022, the Buen Retiro Park stands in full glory with large, vital trees. The historical value of the park is preserved, and thanks to the modern technology of the TreeParker® system, the trees have room to grow old healthily. A successful combination of green, gray, and blue!
