Parc de Joan Oliver

Parc de Joan Oliver is an urban park in Badia del Vallès, a small town within the Barcelona metropolitan area, located along Avinguda de Burgos. Covering just over 8,000 m², it was completed in its current form in 2016 following a major renovation, and stands as one of the town's three main green spaces — alongside Parc de les Illes Balears and Bosc de la Bètica — all packed into an area of less than one square kilometer.

What will you see?

The park was designed as a everyday green retreat for local residents, but it offers more than a simple patch of grass. Renovation works improved water channeling across the site so it copes better with heavy rain instead of flooding, and expanded both the play area and the grass zones. Architectural barriers were also removed, giving the park full accessible entry from Carrer de la Manxa — a welcome feature for wheelchairs, strollers, and visitors with limited mobility.

Badia del Vallès is home to more than 3,500 trees spanning around 100 species scattered across the town, and Parc de Joan Oliver holds a significant share of that greenery. A walk through the park doubles as a small lesson in urban botany, so it's worth looking out for the variety of tree canopies and any informational signage along the paths.

How to get there?

The park sits on Avinguda de Burgos, in an easily reachable part of Badia del Vallès. The town belongs to the Barcelona metropolitan area (Àrea Metropolitana de Barcelona), which manages a wider network of regional parks that includes Parc de Joan Oliver. Local public transport connects Badia del Vallès with neighboring towns such as Cerdanyola del Vallès and Barberà del Vallès, and the park itself is within easy walking distance of the town center.

When to visit?

The park is busiest on weekends and during the summer months. Every Sunday from 11:30 to 13:30, it hosts Jugatecambiental, a free family-oriented play program run as part of the metropolitan Jugatecambientals network, combining outdoor fun with lessons on sustainability and shared urban spaces. In June and July, afternoon leisure activities are also organized for children aged 6 to 12. Beyond the regular schedule, the park occasionally hosts seasonal events such as the Bioblitz Metropolità, a citizen-science initiative to catalogue local flora and fauna, and activities tied to European Mobility Week.

Visitors are encouraged to check the town's event calendar, since the park regularly serves as the setting for community festivals and local celebrations, including the town's first animal-lovers' fair.

Frequently asked questions

Is Parc de Joan Oliver suitable for children? Yes. The park has an expanded play area following its recent renovation, and Sunday mornings feature the Jugatecambiental program specifically designed for families with children.

How big is the park? It covers just over 8,000 m², making it a compact but functional green space at the heart of Badia del Vallès.

Is the park accessible for visitors with limited mobility? Yes — the renovation removed architectural barriers and created full accessible access from Carrer de la Manxa.

Are there activities for adults too? Beyond the children's programs, the park hosts events open to all residents, such as the Bioblitz Metropolità nature initiative and activities linked to sustainable mobility celebrations.