Around thirty new trees placed at Torrevieja fairground as port works near completion

What has changed at the port fairground? Informacion.ES reports that around thirty trees have been installed in corten steel planters around the new fairground space at Torrevieja's port. This is currently the main visible sign of the green areas promised by the Ayuntamiento (town hall) for the redeveloped pedestrian zone. Some of the newly placed trees have already lost their anchoring and are leaning on their supports. The fairground is being prepared for the return of fair operators this month, according to councillor Federico Alarcón. The operators left in March 2023 when the works began. The new area features a large open plaza of almost 10,000 square metres, with benches, a walk-on fountain that was tested recently, and a small pergola. However, there are currently few shaded areas. ## What happened to the old trees and layout? The redevelopment led to the removal of the original row of date palms that lined Paseo de la Libertad, despite initial advice that they would remain. Some of these palms, which are protected by Valencian law, have been transplanted to other parts of the municipality. The ficus row was barely preserved, with some trees transplanted to the area near the IES Torrevigía school in Las Torretas. Green areas are concentrated for now on the former median of Avenida de la Libertad and near the Hombre del Mar monument; Plaza de Capdepont is described as remaining green. ## What is still to come? The final section of the Dique de Levante promenade, including a new access ramp and a fountain valued at €500,000, will not be completed until at least December. The mayor, Eduardo Dolón, said large pergolas with climbing plants will provide shade to the new promenade, but none are visible yet. The contract award for new stalls for the 'hippies' market is expected soon. A new children's play area has been added near the leisure centre, and the ramp connecting Paseo del Mar with the Dique de Levante is finished. ## Background and resident feedback The port area redevelopment has been ongoing for over three years and has cost more than €40 million. The Ayuntamiento has not published full details of the project or held a public consultation on the design. Residents' demands for trees, shade and rest areas are now reaching social media. The project was modified during construction, and the original plan to put traffic underground was dropped for technical and budget reasons.