Text: Hugo Rocha Pereira | Photography: Shutterstock
Earlier this month, the Municipal Council of Mafra – presided over by Hélder Sousa Silva since 2013 – responded to some of the questions posed by AZUL – Ericeira Mag regarding the progress of a trio of municipal projects announced in the last decade, specifically concerning Matadouro beach (announced nearly three years ago), the Ecological Park of the Ericeira World Surfing Reserve (presented almost eight years ago) and the Urban Green Park of Ericeira + Ericeira Camping, announced over a year ago. Although several questions remained unanswered, as you will notice, the essential parts are visible – either to the naked eye or in between the lines – for anyone reading this journalistic piece.
a trio of relevant projects to Ericeira, each tailored to its own measure
Matadouro Beach
In May 2021, the Municipal Council of Mafra (MCM) announced the construction of a new beach support facility – smaller than the previous one and aimed at supporting sports activities – and a cafeteria with a terrace. A remodeling of the stairs providing access to the beach was also announced.
In this case, the questions posed by AZUL were as follows:
– What is the status of this announced redevelopment?
– Do the plans announced by the MCM remain the same or have there been any changes?
– Has the MCM opted for a more “minimalist” option in light of the limited space to be intervened?
– Is there a prevision for the completion of this intervention and its opening to the public?
The MCM provided the following clarifications on the matter:
«Considering that, in the meantime, the Municipality of Mafra decided to build the Urban Green Park of Ericeira, with various public facilities nearby, including dining areas, it was understood that the project initially planned for Matadouro beach should be revised, assuming a smaller scale, with the restoration of the beach surroundings and the construction of support facilities. The project is in the final stage of development and the start of construction is estimated to take place in the first half of 2024.»
Ecological Park of the Ericeira World Surfing Reserve
In June 2016, the MCM announced the creation of the Ecological Park of the Ericeira World Surfing Reserve, aiming to reconcile Nature preservation with the establishment of a new centrality in the northern area of the village of Ericeira (intended for the leisure of residents and visitors), enhancing its tourist attractiveness.
The questions posed by AZUL were as follows:
– What is the status of this project?
– Do the plans announced by the CMM remain the same or have there been any changes?
– Is it true that there was consideration for the construction of padel courts in the Ecological Park of the Ericeira World Surfing Reserve?
– Is it true that there was consideration for the construction of a building clad in recycled waste in the Ecological Park of the Ericeira World Surfing Reserve?
– Is there any possibility of utilizing Forte de Milreu within the scope of the Ecological Park of the Ericeira World Surfing Reserve, for example, as an info point for visitors? In case of a negative response, why does the Municipality not consider this possibility of utilizing cultural/historical/military heritage?
– Is there a prediction for the opening to the public of the Ecological Park of the Ericeira World Surfing Reserve?
The responses on this topic can be read below:
“Similar to Matadouro beach, and considering the future construction of the Urban Green Park of Ericeira, with various public facilities nearby, the project of the Ecological Park of the Ericeira World Surfing Reserve was resized and revised. In 2023, the cleaning and removal of invasive species and debris that had been unlawfully deposited there over time began. Throughout 2024, work will continue on the renaturalization of the area and the marking of trails for pedestrian use, in addition to the relocation and improvement of parking facilities for the Empa beach. As for Forte de Milreu, it is owned by the State, and the Municipality cannot intervene.”
The land where the Ecological Park of the Reserve will be located – ph. RR
Urban Green Park of Ericeira + Ericeira Camping
In January 2023, the Mafra Municipal Council decided to create the Urban Green Park of Ericeira. The municipality stated that to carry out this project, it would proceed with the partial release of the Ericeira Camping area, justifying that this space “is the only land available to the Municipality in the vicinity of the consolidated urban fabric of the village that, in addition to a tree line providing shade, has the capacity for the installation of various sports and recreational facilities.”
At the same time, in a territory distinguished as a Sustainable Tourism Destination and as a World Surfing Reserve, the CMM informed of its intention to invest in upgrading the infrastructure of the Ericeira Camping.
According to the decision made, the municipal company Giatul, EM, SA (responsible for the operation of the Ericeira Camping) was instructed to present the execution project and its budget by the end of the first quarter of 2023, so that the execution of this investment could begin during the same year. As announced by the Municipality, the project should include two components: the construction of the Urban Green Park of Ericeira in part of the area allocated to the current Camping and the necessary renovation and renewal works of the area that would continue to be allocated to the Camping, along with the reorganization of the respective spaces.
In this context, the Board of Directors of Giatul decided to communicate to the users of the Ericeira Camping, whether of tents, caravans, mobile homes, or others (whose contracts had expired on the last day of the year 2022, as provided for in clause 2, the duration of which is always limited until December 31 of the year of celebration), to remove all their belongings and equipment from the respective spaces – they could do so until the deadline of February 28, 2023, so that the total closure of the Camping Park could take place on March 1, which was a necessary condition to enable the upgrading and redevelopment works of this tourism venture, as well as the creation of the Urban Green Park of Ericeira.
AZUL – Ericeira Mag sought answers to these questions:
– What is the status of these projects?
– According to what AZUL found out, the qualification works of Ericeira Camping are halted, with abandoned facilities and spaces without maintenance – is that true? What is the justifying reason?
– What is the relationship or connection between the announced Urban Green Park of Ericeira and the Ecological Park of the Ericeira World Surfing Reserve?
– Do the plans announced by the CMM remain the same or have there been any changes?
– Is there a prediction for the completion of these interventions and their opening to the public?
Regarding this last issue, the responses provided by the Municipality of Mafra were as follows:
«In accordance with the Masterplan approved by the Municipal Assembly, in an area totaling approximately 18 hectares, previously exclusively dedicated to the Camping Park, it is intended to combine two distinct components for two different audiences: on one hand, the upgrading of the Ericeira Camping, reinforcing the quality standards offered to tourists; on the other hand, the creation of an Urban Green Park, until now non-existent in Ericeira, improving the quality of life for the residents.
Following the redefinition of the area allocated to the Camping Park, it now occupies approximately 6 hectares, with the first phase of requalification works completed. However, the aforementioned park has been in full operation since June 2023, hence refuting claims that it is not being maintained. In 2024, the second phase of rehabilitation and modernization works is underway.
The Urban Green Park of Ericeira will occupy an area of approximately 12 hectares, corresponding to the zone closest to the consolidated urban fabric of the village. The execution of the respective project has already been promoted by municipal services, with plans for the conservation and enhancement of the existing tree heritage to create a green space that, also equipped with automobile parking capacity, will include recreational areas (playground and recreation space for children, picnic area, dog park, amphitheater and bar/café) and sports facilities (partially covered multi-sports area for various activities such as basketball, football 5 and padel, Lynx Race obstacle course, BMX area, rollerblading and skateboarding track, bouldering/rock climbing, maintenance circuit, fitness equipment, among others). The public tender for this undertaking will be launched shortly. Since 2023 and continuing into 2024, efforts are ongoing to remove spurious constructions resulting from the previous use as a camping park.»
Esta publicação também está disponível em | This article is also available in: Portuguese (Portugal)
