Keeping the magic alive at El Retiro Park

Legend has it that, back in the 18th century, during the time of Philip V of Spain, strange things happened in El Retiro Park in Madrid. Hundreds of new plants and flowers appeared all over the park overnight. This magical happening enchanted the king during his long walks.

There was no shortage of confusion and surprise among the members of his court, who wondered at such a strange occurrence. No one knew how or why it was done or who was responsible, but that was what happened: every day, new plants adorned the impressive garden.

Over time, a rumour began to circulate among the gardeners of El Retiro. Many of them swore they had seen an elf walking through the royal gardens.

Some even said they had seen him making plants and flowers grow along the way. Much as they tried, they never managed to capture him. He was too nimble, and was quick to hide among the park's vegetation.

To this day, the legend of the elf is as alive as the diversity of plants adorning the hectares of parkland. But we know for sure who is responsible for keeping El Retiro in bloom. And no, it's not a mythical creature. It's a great team of professionals that cares for, maintains and cleans the Spanish capital's most emblematic park.

ACCIONA is responsible for the comprehensive management of public services for municipal parks and nurseries, including El Retiro Park, for Madrid City Council. Read on as we show you how this team waves its magic to bring the park to life.

The ACCIONA team is responsible for a multitude of tasks aimed at keeping El Retiro in perfect condition for the enjoyment of its visitors.

These include gardening, cleaning and surveillance, as well as everything related to the park's urban furnishings and the various municipal buildings and facilities it houses.

The team is also partly responsible for the lighting and sanitation networks, as well as the ornamental fountains.

Not forgetting the inhabitants of El Retiro, of course, as ACCIONA's work also relates to the park's diverse fauna.

All of this work is aimed at ensuring that the park's characteristic beauty remains undiminished despite the passage of time and inclement weather conditions.

Because of its representativeness and cultural value, and for reasons relating to the landscape, this park requires special protection and conservation.

The park is home to more than 19,000 trees, representing 167 species, including six specimens that are included in the Community of Madrid's List of Unique Trees, either for biological, aesthetic or historical interest, or for their appearance or size.

In terms of fauna, the most remarkable specimens are the park's birds.

Aside from species that are common in the city, such as the house sparrow, the common pigeon, the great tit, the magpie, the European serin and the blackbird, you can also see birds of prey such as peregrine falcons, brown owls and tawny owls.

There are also large populations of geese, peacocks, ducks and swans, species that are very common in Western gardening. Grey herons and cormorants can also be observed in the park's ponds.

Invasive species include the monk parakeet and the red-eared slider turtle, whose presence poses a danger to the maintenance of El Retiro's ecosystem.

Perhaps, by explaining our work at El Retiro, we may have destroyed a little of the mystique that surrounded the park's flora thanks to the story of Philip V's elf. Nothing could be further from our intention. At ACCIONA, we believe that the magic of El Retiro is found precisely in the life that it brings to the inhabitants of a place like Madrid.

Parks have become an essential part of our cities. They are spaces for communal recreation and enjoyment, but also places that provide green areas and well-being for inhabitants of big cities.

We have been maintaining and taking care of this magic since 2014 in the eight most emblematic parks in Madrid, the historical and artistic heritage of the capital. In addition to the gardens of El Retiro, we also manage the Parque del Oeste, Quinta de los Molinos, Quinta de la Fuente del Berro Park, El Capricho de la Alameda de Osuna, Sabatini Gardens, the Plaza de Oriente Gardens and Dehesa de la Villa Park.

More than 300 professionals strive daily to maintain these green oases, which involves the conservation of more than 300 hectares of the capital. The team comprises agronomists, agricultural technicians, forestry technicians, public works technicians and fine arts graduates, professionals and experts in gardening, landscaping, civil works and restoration.

ACCIONA also applies its quality, environment and sustainability policy, as well as the use of electric machines and vehicles in some of the parks to minimise CO2 emissions and contribute to the sustainable development of the capital.

As you can see, the magic behind the beauty of El Retiro Park and many other spaces does require a few tricks: it needs technology and the hard work of a team caring for the lungs of this big city.

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