Parc de la Fontsanta

Parc de la Fontsanta is a spacious municipal park in Sant Joan Despí, a Catalan town right on the edge of Barcelona. The park occupies a former stream valley that once separated the neighborhoods of Les Planes and La TV3, and today it stands as one of the town's main green recreational areas.

Where does the name come from and what is the site's history?

In medieval times the area was known as Gotronom or Gotremon, and later as Sant Mateu or riera de la Fontsanta, named after the stream around which the park later took shape. Work to reclaim the old ravine and turn it into a park began in 1998, with construction running from 1999 to 2001. The park today covers roughly 35,000 m². To honor the town's agricultural past, a small vineyard of about 700 vines was planted within the park grounds.

What will you find inside the park?

The park is well maintained and generously sized: lawns, walking paths, and as many as 1,215 trees create a shaded green corridor that's ideal for a stroll or a rest. Alongside the green spaces, visitors will find a dedicated dog area and recreational zones for different age groups — a children's playground plus sports facilities including a skate area, a basketball court, and a football pitch. This mix draws both families with young children and teenagers looking for an active afternoon.

The vineyard remains the park's most distinctive feature — small in size but significant for local identity, a reminder that before housing and sports facilities arrived, this land was farmed.

What activities take place here?

Parc de la Fontsanta also serves an educational role. The Sant Joan Despí town council, together with the Àrea Metropolitana de Barcelona (AMB), organizes environmental and recreational education activities here, aimed at schools, families, and the wider public. It's a hands-on way to learn about the local environment and the history of the site.

How do you get to the park?

The park sits in the northeastern part of Sant Joan Despí, a town within the Barcelona metropolitan area, in the Baix Llobregat region. Thanks to its proximity to the Catalan capital, getting there from central Barcelona typically takes anywhere from a quarter of an hour to under an hour by public transport or car. The park borders the Les Planes and La TV3 neighborhoods, making it an easy landmark for residents of both.

When is the best time to visit?

Thanks to the abundance of trees and open grassy areas, the park is pleasant year-round, though spring and autumn make for the most comfortable walks, when temperatures around Barcelona are milder than in peak summer. In summer, the shade of the trees and the nearby recreational zones make the park a good spot for an afternoon break, especially for families using the playground and sports areas.

Frequently asked questions

Are there attractions for children in the park? Yes, the park has a children's playground as well as sports zones, including a skate area, a basketball court, and a football pitch.

Can you bring a dog to the park? Yes, there is a dedicated area set aside for dogs.

Where does the park's name come from? The name refers to the old riera de la Fontsanta stream, around which the area historically developed; it was also previously known as Gotronom, Gotremon, and Sant Mateu.

Are there any traces of the town's agricultural past in the park? Yes, the clearest one is a small vineyard of about 700 vines, planted to commemorate the farming activity that once took place on this land.