Parque da Água Branca showcases improvements in historic spaces, green areas and leisure facilities

The Parque da Água Branca welcomed journalists and partners this Friday (25th), along with representatives from Arsesp, Semil, and the Subprefectures of Pinheiros and Lapa, to present a series of infrastructure improvement works, covering an area of 12,000 sqm and reaching 28 spaces, including historic buildings, environmental areas, leisure and cultural facilities, gardens, pathways, and support structures.

The presentation was led by Paulo Bernardes, general director of Reserva Parques, the concessionaire responsible for managing the Park, and Sônia Reis, general manager of Parque da Água Branca. With an investment of approximately R$10 million, the requalification aims to preserve heritage, restore spaces, and reintegrate them into public use, enabling new possibilities for use, coexistence, and contact with nature.

"Our major goal is to reintegrate Parque da Água Branca into the daily life of the people of São Paulo," said Paulo Bernardes. "We have a jewel within the city that was dormant and today blossoms again".

A polished diamond

Corte da faixa inagural que marcou a abertura da nova fase. (Giovanna Jarandilha/CASACOR)

The park's qualification process was based on three pillars: preserve, care for, and reintegrate. Among the revitalized areas is the Reading Space – a symbolic icon of the park, the 347 sqm architectural complex brings together nine kiosks and is set in a wooded area. The site now once again houses the Visitors Center, the House of Books (with free reading space), the Educational Studio, and Galleries for permanent exhibitions, as well as spaces for temporary events.

It was there that Paulo, Sônia, and other park representatives cut the inaugural ribbon that marked the opening of this new phase. "A park fulfills its function when it manages to protect its nature and heritage and, at the same time, offer people the opportunity to be there, walk, socialize, and connect with this place," Bernardes emphasized.

Quiosques de Leitura. (Parque da Água Branca/CASACOR)

The Tattersal Cultural Space, a former venue for cattle exhibitions and auctions, has been transformed into a 176-seat auditorium, featuring a new sound system, stage lighting, and acoustic treatment. The seats have also been replaced, enhancing the comfort of those who occupy the space. "We are already planning some free programming to take place here in this space," Bernardes revealed.

The park breathes

Passarela da Área de Preservação Permanente. (Giovanna Jarandilha/CASACOR)

The great highlight is perhaps the Walkway of the Permanent Preservation Area (APP), whose reopening, after years closed – since before the beginning of the concession –, allowed visitors to cross a stretch of vegetation without directly interfering with the natural area. It is a walkway that organizes access, improves circulation, protects the vegetation and the natural resources existing on site.

The sensory experience is accompanied by the singing of birds and unexpected encounters with marmosets, and also includes the view of the Carp Pond and the Spring accesses, which received significant improvements, including the renewal of landscaping and safety adaptations for public use.

Vista para o Tanque de Carpas. (Giovanna Jarandilha/CASACOR)

Another emblematic space of the park, the Casa do Caboclo, a symbol of country culture and rural life in São Paulo, was requalified with the aim of ensuring the conservation, safety, and functionality of the building. Featuring rustic architecture designed to reproduce characteristics of the old dwellings of São Paulo's countryside, the house was restored with the support of the competent bodies to keep alive the memory of rural traditions and the park's relationship with the state's history and culture.

"Each space has a history and a function within the park experience. Recovering them means preserving this memory, but it also allows these places to once again fulfill their role of leisure, coexistence, and culture in people's lives. The entire process was carried out with great care and quality, respecting the guidelines of the heritage protection agencies," explains Bernardes.

Improvement you can see

Playground. (Parque da Água Branca/CASACOR)

The improvement works also covered the Wooden Playground, Sand Playground and the Senior Citizens' Square, which underwent maintenance of the play equipment and furniture, replacement of old equipment and improvements to the restroom, adapted for family use.

Caminho Paulinho Nogueira. (Parque da Água Branca/CASACOR)

Finally, areas that are part of visitors' daily experience, such as the Paulinho Nogueira Path, underwent pavement adjustments, correction of drainage points and the implementation of accessibility solutions. Named in honor of the São Paulo musician, author of a song dedicated to Parque da Água Branca, the path now receives a new stage of care and remains connected to the memory of the place also through music.