Parque del Agua is in Bucaramanga, a city of 800,000 people located in the north-east of Colombia. The park is built in the grounds of the city's water treatment plant, and although a small admission fee is charged to enter, it has become a popular local destination and one that is heavily promoted in tourist literature.
The design of the park uses water extensively; as large still expanses, rapidly running rills, terracing cascades, and fountains. Located on a steeply sloping site the park is divided into two main parts. From the entry pavilion paths crank and step up the slope, at all times bordered by water. At the highest point a single straight timber walk runs from one side to the other. It is edged on one side by the ultimate park bench - lurking open like a giant flip-top head it looks like a designer's conceit, until you collapse gratefully into its shady embrace. To the other side stone totems mark the locations of steep water cascades.
The planting design takes advantage of existing mature trees on the site and is underplanted with luxuriant tropical species. Cool and damp, this is a very nice way to reinforce the importance, power and delight of water.
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