Barcelona

This green area is located on the site of the former ENASA (Empresa Nacional de Autocamiones) lorry factory, between the old historic town centres of Sant Andreu and La Sagrera. The park’s name comes from the popular Pegaso lorries, which were manufactured in the factory. The park, which was opened in 1986, was designed by the architects Enric Batlle and Joan Roig.

The area around the canal has typical riverbank vegetation, with weeping willows (Salix babylonica), white poplars (Populus alba), Canadian poplars (Populus x canadensis), umbrella sedge (Cyperus involucratus) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum). Near the water, there are also specimens of French tamarisk, (Tamarix gallica), paper reed (Cyperus papyrus) and large areas of bamboo (Phyllostachys sp).

The park also boasts specimens of ombú (Phytolaca dioica), southern magnolias (Magnolia grandiflora), chamaerops (Chamaerops humilis), Peruvian pepper (Shinus molle), African hemp (Sparmannia africana), Tasmanian bluegum (Eucalyptus globulus), deodar cedar (Cedrus deodara), jacaranda (Jacaranda mimosifolia) and ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba), alongside typically Mediterranean species like holm oaks (Quercus ilex) and stone pines (Pinus pinea).

There are silver wattle (Acacia retinodes) and date palms (Phoenix dactylifera) lining the wide path that encircles the park. The park has a variety of bushes, including abelias (Abelia floribunda), oleander (Nerium oleander), California privet (Ligustrum ovalifolium), Japanese pittosporum (Pittosporum tobira) and vibernum (Viburnum tinus).

The figure of Pegasus, the winged horse that was ENASA’s emblem for many years, can be seen in the paving of a small circular square at one end of the park. Remnants of the old lorry factory include its main gate, which is now the park’s main entrance, and the office building, now used for neighbourhood amenities. It is an example of mid-20th century industrial architecture.

The pond, which is the park’s central and most outstanding feature, was completely renovated in 2011. The restoration work corrected leaking and drainage problems that originated in 2008, when the pond was drained as part of measures enforced to combat the drought. The pond’s duct has been waterproofed, and new machinery for circulating the water has been installed. The installations have been prepared for a future connection to the La Sagrera phreatic water network, which is currently under development. The pond’s water jets have been renewed and low-energy lighting has been installed. And in addition to all these improvements, the machinery is now operated using a remote-control system.

Once through the gate, the first thing we come across is a large paved area serving as the La Sagrera children’s road-safety park. Near the gate, there is a long row of bricked park benches with ivy growing over the back, under the shade of date palms. To the right, the canal begins its journey into the park, and behind the benches you can see rich, leafy vegetation. From the gate, the park is divided into two sectors: an esplanade under the shade of plane trees, skirted by privets and the pond, and a series of small hills that pay architectural tribute to Fontserè’s nineteenth century gardens.

On the upper part of the park, there is a wide path with a pergola encircling the sports centre and children’s play areas. The pond is a feature that both links and separates these two areas.

The canal is the defining feature of the park’s landscape. It crosses the park diagonally from Carrer Gran de la Sagrera entrance to the other end on Carrer del Pegàs. Its water flows through exuberant, shady vegetation that is reminiscent of riverside woodland. There are bridges crossing the canal at various points, including one inspired by traditional Japanese bridges.