Parc Clichy-Batignolles – Martin Luther King

Discovering a NEW park in Paris

A few weeks ago, my mother discovered a new park in Paris, which she quickly shared with us. The first time I went, I went without technology, so I could not take any pictures. But then I returned, for a nice walk and for many pictures.
I was quite excited about this new park that I dived into Wikipedia to know more about it, and now I have many places that I have never heard of before that I plan on discovering.

The Parc Clichy-Batignolles – Martin Luther King is new. It is not just new to me, it is new in general, and not even finished. In 2007 the first part of the park opened, then in 2014 the second part opened and it is planned to be finished for 2017 with the opening of the third part. It is located in the Clichy-Batignolles area not far from the Parc des Batignolles in the 17th Arrondissement.

This new park is built where in the past there was a goods shed from the former Batignolles train station. Around the park, there are new housing projects. The park is green, not just by its colour but by its ecological footprint. In the park there is a small windmill, there are solar panels, rainwater is collected, and the plants are local and need only small amounts of water, little or no fertiliser or insecticides. Some areas of the park are only for plants and animals, not for humans or their dogs, though.

Within this park, you can find a gardening project. Residents of the area can grow their own vegetables in their own small patch, or is a community patch. There is a big skatepark, many playgrounds for children of different ages. And the activities look so much fun. There is a little memorial for Jewish children who were deported to Auschwitz (this was a train station at the time). There is a little pond alive with tiny fish, ducks and beautiful water lilies. Here and there you can spot old train tracks running through the park. You can also play basketball or soccer, and refresh yourself with sparkling water, so don’t forget to bring a cup or a bottle to enjoy it properly.

If you are in Paris or going to Paris, then I recommend that you visit this park. You will quickly forget the buildings around it as well as the construction cranes that currently embrace it. If you have kids, then I am sure they will love it!

Pictures hosted on Flickr
Here I found more information on the park: https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parc_Clichy-Batignolles_-_Martin_Luther_King
Discover more on the website of the park

© Solveig Werner 2015. All rights reserved.