Los Cerros Park in full bloom

Yesterday I went biking at my favorite park, Los Cerros, just south of Alcalá de Henares, heading south on M-300, crossing the Henares river and hanging a left. And it was wonderful! In full bloom!

Its almost 2,000 acres (800 hectares) were once home to Romans and Arabs but have since gone through wildfires, draughts, erosion and have even been used as a landfill. In 2000, the government decided to set this land aside and officially convert it into a "natural park." They started by filling it in with dirt and forming pathways and roads. The rest has since been replanted with holm oaks, pine trees, wild flowers and other bushes. In 2007, a nature center was built where people and students could find out more about local wildlife and an almond grove was planted in memory of the March 11, 2004 bombing victims.

I first went running at Los Cerros back in 2004 when it was still just a dump covered with dirt. Every time it rained, the garbage would rise up to the surface. But now the park is really coming into its own. There are bird houses hanging from the trees and picnic tables placed in the shade. The oldest trees in the park are probably not older than 50 years old, but they already attract a large range of animals including the storks that are usually seen around town.

Stark contrast of older trees to the right and baby pines to the left of this path.

Wild flowers with Alcalá de Henares in the back ground. You can see the Santos Niños Cathedral.

Wash ways were added where rain water usually flows. Here it's interrupted a path.

The almond grove in memory of the March 11, 2004 victims.

Young pine trees.

Red poppies under more almond trees lining the path.

Maps and more information (in Spanish) can be found at the city hall's website: http://www.ayto-alcaladehenares.es/template2.asp?cat_id=4017&mcat=1107&mcat_id=2&opt=m02_02_012&site_language=2