The municipal council of Lagoa has officially opened its first-ever urban park, with hundreds of people turning out on Saturday, March 21 to explore the new space in Parchal.
The opening ceremony brought together local officials, community groups and residents, including José Apolinário, president of the Algarve’s Regional Coordination and Development Commission (CCDR), in what was described as a lively and well-attended inauguration event.
Covering 33,000 square metres – roughly the size of three football pitches – the new Parque Urbano do Parchal (Parchal Urban Park) aims to become a place where local residents and families can enjoy the outdoors.
The park includes a wide range of facilities, from a 1,500-metre cross-country track to green areas, rest zones and picnic spots. There is also a street workout area, an outdoor gym, playgrounds, and a snack bar with restrooms. It will also be available for local clubs to use for training. At the heart of the new space is a central lake, covering 990sqm of the park.
It is located in the Passagem neighbourhood (Urbanização da Passagem), behind the former Arade Congress Centre – now renamed the Lagoa Congress Centre.
Speaking at the launch, the mayor of Lagoa highlighted the importance of the project for the municipality’s future.
“This park is the first step in a clear strategy for the municipality, focused on creating more green spaces and improving quality of life. We are building a more sustainable, more balanced municipality, better prepared for the future,” Luís Encarnação said.
He added that the park is designed to be used by everyone, every day.
“We want this park to be part of daily life – for our families, our young people, our seniors, but also for those who visit us. This is an open, inclusive space, designed for everyone to enjoy.”
The environmental focus of the project was also underlined, with the planting of 525 trees and more than 14,000 shrubs, mainly Mediterranean species suited to the local climate and requiring less water.
“This is also an example of the environmental policy we want to implement. We have invested in efficient solutions, such as smart irrigation and permeable surfaces, and prepared the park for water reuse, ensuring responsible resource management,” he said.
The park – which represents an investment of around €2.8 million, co-funded under the Portugal 2030 programme – also features a high-efficiency drip irrigation system and real-time monitoring technology.
The Parchal Urban Park is now open daily, from 7am to midnight in summer and until 11pm in winter.
