Perhaps unexpectedly, a sprawling green oasis awaits us. It’s the Parque Pereyra Iraola. This park is the largest urban park in Buenos Aires Province. It is a treasure trove of biodiversity.
Once, these lands belonged to the Pereyra Iraola family. They acquired it from Juana Rita Pinto. The family called the estate San Juan. In 1949, the government under Juan Domingo Perón expropriated the land. Perón wanted to create a community park. It opened a year later.
Parque Pereyra Iraola spans 10,246 hectares. It sits among the cities of Berazategui, Ensenada, Florencio Varela, and La Plata. During Perón’s second presidency, this area and the train station connecting Buenos Aires to La Plata were named Derechos de la Ancianidad. This translates to Rights of the Elderly.
In 2008, UNESCO recognized the park’s significance. They declared Parque Pereyra Iraola a Biosphere Reserve. This initiative aimed to protect its biodiversity. It prevents further development in the area.
The park’s history traces back to 1580. It began with the subdivision of Buenos Aires territory. Juan de Garay distributed land. The land became colonial estates. One estate was Las Conchitas. Simón Pereyra acquired it in 1850. He renamed it Estancia San Juan. His son Leonardo transformed the estate. He studied European parks. He learned about the benefits of forestation. In 1860, he began planting trees. San Juan became a model estate. Notable figures visited it.
In 1948, President Juan D. Perón announced the expropriation. He wanted to preserve this treasure. He also aimed to create a cultural and scientific center. In 1950, the Parque de los Derechos de la Ancianidad opened. Perón and his wife Eva addressed a crowd from the Santa Rosa estate.
Parque Pereyra Iraola promotes sustainable tourism. It balances the needs of visitors and the environment. Recreation and education thrive here. The park encourages environmental conservation.
The Estación de Cría de Animales Silvestres or ECAS is worth a visit. It opened in 1971. It aimed to let people observe animals freely. Today, it focuses on native fauna. It serves as a breeding center. It also serves as a genetic bank for endangered species.
Another highlight is the Árbol de Cristal. The Pereyra Iraola family brought this tree from Indochina. It’s the only survivor of twelve planted 150 years ago. It exudes a resin that reflects moonlight. This gives the impression of a crystal tree.
Do not miss Capilla Santa Elena. Martín Pereyra Iraola built it in memory of his daughter. Susana Fedrano decorated it with paintings.
In 2012, there was a proposal to rename the park after Governor Domingo Mercante. But the park retained its original name. This was because of its UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status.
Parque Pereyra Iraola boasts over 132 introduced tree species. Native flora includes talas and espinillos. Nearly 200 bird species inhabit the park.
As you wander through Parque Pereyra Iraola, consider its past. Think about its present role in conservation. It is a green lung near urban areas. It is a place of recreation. It is a living testament to history.