San Juan de la Canal Mill Park

LANDLAB will design a new public park around the San Juan de la Canal Mill.

LANDLAB will be responsible for designing a public park around the historic San Juan de la Canal Mill in Soto de la Marina. The project takes this heritage and symbolic landmark, along with the San Juan hermitage, as its reference point in a natural setting of great value that is currently difficult for the public to access. The site is located at the end of the La Canal sea inlet and at the mouth of the Otero stream, marking the start of the maritime and green promenades linked to the streams, and is integrated into the Costa Quebrada coastal strip.

The Expert Committee highlighted LANDLAB’s proposal for its sound understanding of the site—from its relationship with water and geology to the integration of cultural heritage—as well as for the creation of routes and open spaces that improve accessibility and the landscape experience, while reinforcing the area’s biodiversity.

The design proposes a strategic arrangement of elements such as viewpoints, tiered benches, wooden platforms, and a row of bleachers facing a “multifunctional field,” conceived as a flexible space for outdoor activities. A small play area is also planned next to this open space, designed to complement the family enjoyment of the area.

One of the project’s most significant aspects is the restoration of access to the mill via a path-viewpoint that will allow visitors to approach from the south and take in the area of the former reservoir. The intervention thus combines improved accessibility with respect for the landscape and built heritage, reinforcing the site’s iconic character.

With this project, the area around the San Juan de la Canal Mill will be opened to the public as a new landmark public space, capable of combining nature, heritage, and leisure in the incomparable setting of the Costa Quebrada.