Fuengirola residents score big as bridges get 300 metres of vertical gardens

Locals in Fuengirola asked for greener bridges over the Arroyo Pajares, and the town hall has delivered exactly that. Councillor for Urban Ecology José Sánchez confirmed this week that work has wrapped up on a fresh set of vertical gardens stretching 300 linear metres across the bridges that cross Avenida de Los Boliches and Avenida Jesús Cautivo.

Workers from the council’s own Operative Services team, together with staff from Urban Ecology and Events, handled every stage. They fabricated the metal structures and planters, painted everything, fitted the units and put the plants in the ground. No external contractors needed.

Neighbours’ requests turned into reality

Sánchez pointed out that the idea came straight from residents during the regular neighbourhood meetings the town hall holds around Fuengirola. “We keep working to make Fuengirola a more pleasant, green and well-looked-after place,” he said. “We listened to what neighbours suggested, and, whenever we can, we turn those ideas into something real. In this case they asked us to spruce up these bridges, and now that request is done.”

The project sits inside the wider municipal Plan de Embellecimiento, which focuses on adding plants to everyday public spaces so the streets feel more inviting for both residents and visitors. Ordinary concrete bridges have been given a proper landscape boost with colour and nature, all while sticking to sensible upkeep and water-saving principles.

Tough plants and clever watering keep costs down

Perennial species that need very little water went into the planters. Staff chose them for toughness and simple care so the gardens stay looking good without constant attention. A drip irrigation system runs the full length of both installations, delivering water exactly where it is needed and keeping waste to a minimum.

Sánchez summed it up neatly: “Jobs like this let us lift the look of the town in a sustainable and efficient way. We make the most of our own resources and back up our promise of a greener, friendlier Fuengirola.”

This latest effort continues a long-running push to bring more greenery into the urban set up. Earlier projects have already given the town vertical gardens in Los Pacos and other spots, plus xeriscaping schemes that cut water use across hundreds of planters. Readers can catch up on those earlier moves in our pieces on urban ecology and xeriscaping in Fuengirola, the expansion of the Los Pacos vertical garden and the ongoing beautification work in green areas.

For the official council announcement, see the full details on the Fuengirola town hall website.

Anyone strolling or driving through Los Boliches or past Jesús Cautivo will now notice a much softer, greener skyline where grey concrete once dominated. Small changes like these add up, and Fuengirola keeps showing it is listening when residents speak up.