Date Published: 22/07/2021
ARCHIVED - Murcia City Council closes parks over fears of falling tree branches
ARCHIVED ARTICLE Several city parks will either be closed or have restricted access over the coming days as the extreme temperatures may lead to branches falling from trees
The Department of Districts and Neighbourhoods, Human Resources and Urban Development, headed by Ainhoa Sánchez, has taken the decision to close certain parks in the interest of public safety in the face of the soaring temperatures expected in Murcia in the coming days. In extremely warm weather the trees throughout the parks become ‘stressed’ which has in the past caused large branches to break away. With a
severe heat warning in place for much of Murcia this week, falling branches pose too much of a risk to people and property.
Today, Thursday (July 22), the Floridablanca garden and the Artillery Barracks will remain closed. The State Meteorological Agency, Aemet, is predicting even higher temperatures for Friday and Saturday so more closures are to be expected. In certain areas, trees such as the ficus which pose a significant risk of falling branches will be taped-off to prevent the public putting themselves at risk by sitting underneath. The Council last had to close the parks on July 12 for the same reason.
The areas affected are as follows:
- Closure of the Floridablanca garden and the Artillery Barracks area
- Torreagüera - the ficus on the San Javier road will be marked
- Reina Sofía – the ficus will be marked (a throughway will enable access to the hospital)
- Avenida Intendente Jorge Palacios – the ficus will be marked
- Malecón - access from the esplanade to the entrance of the Plano de San Francisco will be cut off, the bar will also be closed
- Renfe station - a very large eucalyptus will be marked, so access to the police station is restricted
- Jardín del Salitre - the central island will be closed
- Jardín de la Seda - three eucalyptus trees will be fenced off
- Chinese Garden – eucalyptus trees and dog park will be marked
- Santo Domingo – ficus trees will be fenced off
Ainhoa Sánchez explained that "depending on the evolution of temperatures, the City Council will weigh the need or not to continue maintaining preventive measures in parks and gardens, always taking into account the safety of the residents of the municipality."
These areas will remain closed or marked while the warnings for high temperatures last and for a further 24 hours, in order to carry out a review of the trees.