Madrid, Spain
Madrid Río, a park surrounded by water fountains
Madrid Río is an urban park in the city of Madrid (Spain), built along an urban stretch of the Manzanares River beyond the underground of the M-30 ring road in this area. It is the result of a project directed by the architect Ginés Garrido, who won the international ideas competition organized by Madrid City Council in 2005 to redevelop the area. It is a huge recreational and cultural enclave that, thanks to its renaturation, once again has amazing fauna in addition to its many historical monuments, fountains and leisure and cultural facilities. It includes 17 children's play areas, all with swings made of sustainable, natural materials such as wood and hemp rope. What all children and adults agree on is that the Madrid Río Beach, formed by three oval aquatic enclosures with water jets, is ideal for cooling off in summer. It is also a space where adults can enjoy a great cultural events, bio-health circuits, pétanque courts, game tables, the Manzanares River Interpretation Center, exhibitions, musical festivals and plays that take place in the Matadero Madrid arts center.