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La Marjal Floodable Park
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ROUTE:

1 km

DURATION:

1 hour

DIFFICULTY:

Easy

A singular solution for a flooding problem.

The urban development of Alicante expanded into a coastal area, San Juan Beach, which was once a natural floodplain or wetland. Despite the construction of a major stormwater drainage system, flooding still occurred in a small area during heavy rainfall. To solve this problem, a stormwater reservoir was created within a municipal plot designated as a green area, with a capacity of 45,000 cubic meters, sufficient to temporarily store excess water from an intense rainfall event.

The initial idea for the park was conceived in 2011, and the project was later drafted by municipal technicians, offering a unique solution that involved using a public park designed to occasionally function as a temporary water retention reservoir, based on the operation of marshes, depressions or plains separated from the sea by a chain of dunes that, during rainy seasons, accumulate the flows from their natural basins, creating specific habitats. Hence the name ‘La Marjal’ floodable park.

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Trail Stops

1. Viewpoint

2. Forest vegetation and hill area

3. Dryland agricultural crops area

4. Small pond and waterfall

5. Rapid

6. Large pond

7. Riverside vegetation
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Once the rain stops and the flow in the existing drainage system decreases, the water stored in the park is gradually released back into the system in a controlled manner. From there, it can be discharged into the sea or directed to a nearby wastewater pumping station for treatment at a wastewater treatment plant.

The Alicante Town Hall chose this option considering the advantages of a lower environmental impact by avoiding a new direct discharge into the sea of stormwater, the possibility of treating and reusing the stored water, as well as a lower economic cost and greater social profitability by creating a new green area for the citizens. The construction of the park began on April 13th, 2013, with the investment of Aguas Municipalizadas de Alicante, the entity that manages the park as a stormwater reservoir and contributes, with awareness and environmental education actions, to the management and maintenance carried out by the Alicante Town Hall as a recreational public space.

The La Marjal floodable park was inaugurated in the spring of 2015, a project that has received various recognitions for its innovative character and its respect for biodiversity.

1. Viewpoint

We are now at the main viewpoint, a 15 x 15-meter stepped wooden platform designed like a large pier extending three meters over the pond. It offers a wide view of the stormwater retention basin and the hill. Hidden beneath this viewpoint are the stormwater inlet, the pump room, and the gates used for draining the park.

2. Forest vegetation and hill area

To the northwest of the park, as we ascend, we enter the forest vegetation area, a recreation of the wild plant ecosystem found in the mountains of the Valencian Community. Here, you’ll find shrub species like mastic trees (Pistacia lentiscus) and tree species such as she-oaks (Casuarina equisetifolia) and stone pines (Pinus pinea), combined with aromatic plants, notably trailing rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis ‘Prostratus’). All these are characteristic of the Mediterranean forest. Most of these species have historically been economically valuable for various uses, making significant contributions to the daily life of rural communities. We circle the hill, which was formed using soil excavated from the park’s rainwater retention basin. From the summit, you can enjoy views of the mountainous landscape that outlines the region of L’Alacanti.

3. Dryland agricultural crops area

Descending to the southern slope of the hill, we encounter a series of stone walls that recreate the typical agricultural terraces, a hallmark of the Levantine mountains. For centuries, the Valencian Community has used terraces to transform mountainous terrain into arable land. This method retains soil on slopes and facilitates farming, enhancing soil fertility. In the park, traditional dryland crops are represented, including carob trees (Ceratonia siliqua), almond trees (Prunus dulcis), pomegranate trees (Punica granatum), fig trees (Ficus carica), olive trees (Olea europaea “Sylvestris”), and grapevines (Vitis vinifera).

4. Small pond and waterfall

We cross a bridge between the small pond and the cascade.
Both the small pond and the waterfall are outside the rainwater retention basin, and their purpose is, on the one hand, to provide adequate aeration of the pond water and, on the other, to create a secluded space for contemplation, as from here you get one of the best views of the park. With a drop of more than four meters, the waterfall features a vertical garden that hides the wall that forms it. Around the small pond, there is a seating area equipped with benches and exercise equipment.

5. Rapid

The cascade allows water to flow into the large pond, overcoming a nearly four-meter difference in height corresponding to the depth of the park’s retention basin. The rocky structure of the cascade generates significant turbulence in the water, increasing dissolved oxygen levels and enhancing aquatic life.

6. Large pond

The most iconic feature of the park is the large pond, a permanent water surface covering 6,674 square meters. It occupies the bottom of the flood basin, mimicking the original marshland. The pond includes two islands that serve as bird nesting areas and add greater complexity and visual interest to the landscape. Notably, one island features a small hut with nesting boxes designed to attract kingfishers (Alcedo atthis). The ponds are supplied with regenerated water, and a recirculation system ensures its quality for supporting plant and animal life. Water is pumped from the bottom and surface to the top of the waterfall, where it flows back down in a closed loop. Around the pond, a fringe of aquatic vegetation has been planted. A perimeter path and several viewpoints allow visitors to observe the flora and fauna up close.

7. Riverside vegetation

Along the rivers and lagoons, you’ll find dense riparian vegetation made up of species adapted to varying factors such as water flow, flood levels, soil type, or salinity. In the large pond, aquatic plants grow in submerged areas, while marginal plants thrive in high-humidity zones. Common species include cattails (Typha latifolia), rushes (Juncus), and reeds (Phragmites australis). During the walk, you’ll also encounter weeping willows (Salix babylonica), poplars (Populus alba and Populus nigra), hackberries (Celtis australis), elms (Ulmus resista), and other trees that enrich the experience.

Once the rain stops and the flow in the existing drainage system decreases, the water stored in the park is gradually released back into the system in a controlled manner. From there, it can be discharged into the sea or directed to a nearby wastewater pumping station for treatment at a wastewater treatment plant.

The Alicante Town Hall chose this option considering the advantages of a lower environmental impact by avoiding a new direct discharge into the sea of stormwater, the possibility of treating and reusing the stored water, as well as a lower economic cost and greater social profitability by creating a new green area for the citizens. The construction of the park began on April 13th, 2013, with the investment of Aguas Municipalizadas de Alicante, the entity that manages the park as a stormwater reservoir and contributes, with awareness and environmental education actions, to the management and maintenance carried out by the Alicante Town Hall as a recreational public space.

The La Marjal floodable park was inaugurated in the spring of 2015, a project that has received various recognitions for its innovative character and its respect for biodiversity.

7. Riverside vegetation

Along the rivers and lagoons, you’ll find dense riparian vegetation made up of species adapted to varying factors such as water flow, flood levels, soil type, or salinity. In the large pond, aquatic plants grow in submerged areas, while marginal plants thrive in high-humidity zones. Common species include cattails (Typha latifolia), rushes (Juncus), and reeds (Phragmites australis). During the walk, you’ll also encounter weeping willows (Salix babylonica), poplars (Populus alba and Populus nigra), hackberries (Celtis australis), elms (Ulmus resista), and other trees that enrich the experience.

6. Large pond

The most iconic feature of the park is the large pond, a permanent water surface covering 6,674 square meters. It occupies the bottom of the flood basin, mimicking the original marshland. The pond includes two islands that serve as bird nesting areas and add greater complexity and visual interest to the landscape. Notably, one island features a small hut with nesting boxes designed to attract kingfishers (Alcedo atthis). The ponds are supplied with regenerated water, and a recirculation system ensures its quality for supporting plant and animal life. Water is pumped from the bottom and surface to the top of the waterfall, where it flows back down in a closed loop. Around the pond, a fringe of aquatic vegetation has been planted. A perimeter path and several viewpoints allow visitors to observe the flora and fauna up close.

5. Rapid

The cascade allows water to flow into the large pond, overcoming a nearly four-meter difference in height corresponding to the depth of the park’s retention basin. The rocky structure of the cascade generates significant turbulence in the water, increasing dissolved oxygen levels and enhancing aquatic life.

4. Small pond and waterfall

We cross a bridge between the small pond and the cascade.
Both the small pond and the waterfall are outside the rainwater retention basin, and their purpose is, on the one hand, to provide adequate aeration of the pond water and, on the other, to create a secluded space for contemplation, as from here you get one of the best views of the park. With a drop of more than four meters, the waterfall features a vertical garden that hides the wall that forms it. Around the small pond, there is a seating area equipped with benches and exercise equipment.

3. Dryland agricultural crops area

Descending to the southern slope of the hill, we encounter a series of stone walls that recreate the typical agricultural terraces, a hallmark of the Levantine mountains. For centuries, the Valencian Community has used terraces to transform mountainous terrain into arable land. This method retains soil on slopes and facilitates farming, enhancing soil fertility. In the park, traditional dryland crops are represented, including carob trees (Ceratonia siliqua), almond trees (Prunus dulcis), pomegranate trees (Punica granatum), fig trees (Ficus carica), olive trees (Olea europaea “Sylvestris”), and grapevines (Vitis vinifera).

2. Forest vegetation and hill area

To the northwest of the park, as we ascend, we enter the forest vegetation area, a recreation of the wild plant ecosystem found in the mountains of the Valencian Community. Here, you’ll find shrub species like mastic trees (Pistacia lentiscus) and tree species such as she-oaks (Casuarina equisetifolia) and stone pines (Pinus pinea), combined with aromatic plants, notably trailing rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis ‘Prostratus’). All these are characteristic of the Mediterranean forest. Most of these species have historically been economically valuable for various uses, making significant contributions to the daily life of rural communities. We circle the hill, which was formed using soil excavated from the park’s rainwater retention basin. From the summit, you can enjoy views of the mountainous landscape that outlines the region of L’Alacanti.

1. Viewpoint

We are now at the main viewpoint, a 15 x 15-meter stepped wooden platform designed like a large pier extending three meters over the pond. It offers a wide view of the stormwater retention basin and the hill. Hidden beneath this viewpoint are the stormwater inlet, the pump room, and the gates used for draining the park.

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