Beneath this vibrant green expanse lies a secret. A century-old marvel of engineering. Welcome to Parque del Tercer Depósito. This isn’t just any park. It’s built atop the Third Reservoir of the Canal de Isabel II. A vital part of Madrid’s water infrastructure for over a hundred years.
Imagine the construction in 1901. An international competition was held. The winning design featured innovative reinforced concrete. Tragedy struck in 1905. Part of the reservoir’s roof collapsed. Thirty workers died. Sixty were injured. The resulting scandal shook the city. The engineer was tried but acquitted. The construction was finished using traditional brick and arch methods.
Parque del Tercer Depósito wasn’t always a haven of green spaces. In 2003 a controversial plan emerged. The regional government wanted to build a golf course. This plan sparked outrage. Local residents fought fiercely to preserve their promised park. The city council refused the permit. The regional government declared the project in the public interest. They pressed on.
The park opened in 2007 despite legal challenges. The golf course was eventually built. But the fight wasn’t over. Legal battles ensued. In 2013 the Supreme Court ruled the construction illegal. The golf course was finally slated for demolition.
Today we stand in a transformed space. The golf course is gone. The park now boasts 55000 square meters of greenery. Hundreds of new trees and shrubs have been planted. There are sports facilities. Playgrounds for children exist. A revitalized pond with colorful fountains. The park is fully accessible to all. This is the Parque del Tercer Depósito. It is a testament to community resilience. It is a reminder of Madrid’s rich history. It’s a beautiful green space for everyone to enjoy. A park built on a foundation of both triumph and tragedy. A green lung for Chamberí a community that fought for this space. A true triumph of perseverance.