Yecla Shadow Plan: trees planted for shade during the scorching summer months
Large, fast-growing trees have been planted in schools, parks and along streets throughout Yecla
Yecla’s ambitious ‘Shadow Plan’ is complete, an initiative which has involved planting shade trees outside educational centres where summer schools are held to protect students and staff from the hot summer sun.
Before the trees were planted, workers installed drip irrigation systems so these open spaces will remain lush and naturally shaded for years to come.
According to Yecla’s Councillor for Education and Nursery Schools Sara Ortuño, it is a measure designed to promote sustainability and respect for the environment in educational centres. Through this, the council has swiftly responded to requests from families and teachers for some protection from the high temperatures frequently experienced in Yecla during the spring and summer.
“These works have been carried out during the Christmas holiday period and have allowed the land to be adapted, the drip irrigation system to be installed and the trees to be planted,” commented Ms Ortuño. The entire project cost 17,545 euros.More than 120 fruitless mulberry trees have been planted, a fast-growing species with a large trunk that will provide ample shade in a year or two.
The educational centres where the 'Shade Plan' has been implemented are 'La Paz', 'Herratillas', 'Miguel Ortuño', 'Méndez Núñez', 'San José de Calasanz', 'Giner de los Ríos', 'El Alba', 'La Pedrera' and 'Alfonso X'.
At La Pedrera school, 10 more trees have been planted to provide natural shade over the playground tracks.
But the initiative isn’t confined to the schools, as 6’500 new trees have also been planted along the streets and in public gardens throughout the municipality.
Today, Yecla has an impressive 18.2 trees per 100 residents, a figure well above the national average of 14.4 trees, according to a study published by the Spanish Association of Public Parks and Gardens.
These projects fall under the umbrella of Yecla’s overall strategy for the preservation and improvement of trees and green areas, which is carried out by the council and has an investment of 800,000 euros per year.
This initiative includes other public improvements, such as the installation of rubber slabs in children's play areas and the repair of stairs and railings in the garden on Avenida de la Feria, among others.
For more local news, events and visiting information go to the home page of Yecla Today
Image: Ayuntamiento de Yecla
Address
Plaza Mayor, Casa de los Arcos, s/n 30510 YECLATel: 968 754 104
Oficina de Turismo de Yecla
In early 2025, due to renovation work at the usual office, the service is located on the other side of the Plaza Mayor at Calle Epifanio Ibáñez nº 2 (click for map).
Yecla is a large municipality in the north of the Region of Murcia, home to just under 35,000 people, and these days is best known for its wines, which enjoy Denomination of Origin status, and its furniture production, which has its origins in the abundance of pine trees on the mountainsides and the high plateaux.
While visitors in the 21st century may be attracted primarily by wine tourism, the town (or city, as it was proclaimed in 1878) also has a wide historical, cultural and natural heritage, and an identity quite different from the coastal areas of the Region of Murcia. For this reason it is often grouped together with its neighbour and fellow wine-producing area Jumilla as part of the Altiplano area.
Yecla borders with Castilla-La Mancha and the Region of Valencia and is closer to Alicante coastal areas than much of Murcia. These visitors come to see the historic old town itself - an atmospheric and interesting place, crammed full of history - the natural beauty of Monte Arabí, with stunning views for those who enjoy the outdoors, the gastonomy and of course the wine route.
Yecla boasts cave paintings from 10,000 years ago in Monte Arabí, a Bronze Age settlement at El Arabilejo, Iberian remains in El Pulpillo and a Roman administrative centre at Los Torrejones as well as the remnants of the 11th century Moorish castle on the hill behind the town. More modern (and complete) testimony to the past are the buildings in the town centre, which include the grandiose Basílica de la Purísima, with its striking blue dome, the archaeological museum and the attractive Plaza Mayor, where the 16th century Town Hall stands alongside the Renaissance Casa de los Alarcos, the clock tower and the old grain store.
The tourist office holds a full selection of leaflets, maps, pre-planned routes, accommodation and restaurant options and information about visiting Yecla for both individuals and groups.
There is parking close to the tourist office, although those driving to Yecla for the first time are advised to park in Calle Perales.
For further information go to the home page of Yecla Today.
Opening hours:
Tuesday to Friday 8.00 to 15.00
Saturdays 10.30 to 14.00 and 17.00 to 19.30.
Public holidays 10.30 to 14.00
Click for map, Yecla tourist office
