The Senhora do Porto Garden, in the parish of Ramalde, has transformed a wasteland into a community garden covering around 5.000 m².
This green space was created in response to a request from local residents, who worked alongside the local council, sharing their views and helping to redesign and adapt the space to local needs.
The garden is equipped with a sustainable drainage system, which includes rain garden-style infiltration basins, contributing to more efficient rainwater management and enabling its collection, retention and infiltration into the soil.
A total of 86 trees were planted, including species such as Alder (Alnus glutinosa), Birch (Betula alba), Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), Maidenhair Tree (Ginkgo biloba) and Oak (Quercus robur ‘Fastigiata and Quercus palustris); and 137 shrubs, including species like Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo), Holly Tree (Ilex aquifolium), Bay Tree (Laurus nobilis), Japanese Cheesewood (Pittosporum tobira), Laurustinus (Viburnum tinus) and Dwarf Arctic Willow (Salix purpurea ‘Nana’).
This garden also features an area set aside for cultivation in a community vegetable garden, the Horta Senhora do Porto.
The park’s entire green space contributes both to improving air quality and regulating temperature, whilst promoting biodiversity and carbon sequestration.
