El Recorral – the artful bins

Welcome to «A Year Abroad» – our adventure under the Spanish sun. We have swapped life in Norway for a life in Spain to experience a different culture, a warmer climate and follow a lifelong dream.

A park full of surprises

In our little town there is a park that feels both magical and strange. Parque El Recorral is often referred to as the pine forest, due to all the pine trees.

El Recorral wasn’t always the peaceful oasis it is today. It was once a pasture on the outskirts of Rojales. When the town’s sewage and stormwater problems needed to be addressed, they set out on a project to solve them while creating something the public could use. The five artificial lagoons collect and treat recycled water, creating biodiversity and protecting areas closer to Torrevieja. The solution to a technical problem became a great gathering place where ecology meets community and is a fantastic example of sustainable creativity and functional inspiration. From water problems to recreational area – how cool is that!

The first thing you might notice when you enter the park is the art, both the painted trash cans and the woodwork. Since there is a lot, I’m making a two-part post about this park – one with the paintings and one with the woodwork.

If you are in the area, this park is well worth a visit. Both because of the wildlife and the artwork, but also because of the tranquility found in this park. Go for a walk, bring some food and have a picnic – enjoy an hour or two of peace and quiet, or maybe you’ll get to experience a birthday party or a barbecue.

The colorful and cool trash cans

The trash cans are not just ordinary, boring metal or plastic containers, but clever works of art with vibrant colors and beautiful motifs. They bring some magic into your life in a special way and the artwork will make you smile before you even start walking.

In the park you will find artificial, small lakes, well-established paths and picnic areas with barbecues. The trash cans add a playful, decorative and functional element to the whole experience. Which adds a little extra fascination to your walk. If you want to go for a walk outside the established areas, you will find nature trails on the side of the main park. This is not a green and lush park, because like so many places in Spain, this area lacks enough water. It is still fascinating to see how quickly it turns a little more green after a rainy day.

Easy to go for long walks – even with children

I went there with my husband right after we moved here, but it was so hot that we couldn’t really enjoy it. Although the park has areas with good shade, it was simply too hot during the heat wave even though we were out early. But we will try again when he comes to visit next time. Then they also allow barbecues, so we will have dinner in the park.

A little later, with a friend, I got to explore some of the wilder areas when we went for a walk outside the established park. That’s when I found out that if you want to walk a few miles, it’s no problem. There are plenty of trails to walk on, but it’s also easy to get a little lost outside the park itself.

The art on the trash cans can make any hike, whether long or short, more fun. Especially if you have kids with you. My kids are grown, but I remember how something out of the ordinary could motivate them to keep going – “look for the next motif, what do you think it is.” Simple everyday objects can become fun stories when the family goes on a hike. For the kids the park also has a play area and questions along the path for a fun family quiz.

Nature’s own medicine

When you’re out in nature, a sense of calm descends upon you, and your thoughts calm down a bit. If you manage to be “in the moment” while walking through the woods, by the sea, or in the park, you’ll experience a lighter mind. The constant buzz of city life, the stressful emotions, and the thoughts of everything that should have been done, fade into the background, and you can relax.

It doesn’t take much – just walk, breathe, and notice where you are. If you find something fascinating, like the artwork in this park, you can look at it a little closer, and then go back to just noticing without focusing on anything in particular. The sound of water and wildlife can help your brain to pause, and that’s something we all need from time to time. We need to feel present, both in terms of where we are and also a presence within ourselves. At least sometimes I feel like I’m floating a little outside of myself. Nature can heal you, remember that!

Our life here is feeling more and more like home, although we miss our family and friends. Some days are very unfamiliar – but hey – that is exactly why we came. Follow along on our journey by register for our newsletter, and get some insight by following us on Instagram at @lifeandlove_thelittlethings.