In the heart of Bucharest, Văcărești Nature Park tells a story of transformation, resilience, and renewal. What was once a neighbourhood razed for a Communist-era water reservoir project in 1988, only to be abandoned after the Romanian Revolution, has now blossomed into a vibrant urban wetland. Rediscovered after 2010, the park became the focus of a passionate conservation campaign, leading to its designation as Romania’s first urban natural park in 2016. Today, Văcărești is a thriving green space that draws thousands of visitors and students each year, offering a unique blend of education, recreation, and natural beauty. Despite the challenges of managing its delicate ecosystem in the face of climate change, the park remains a symbol of urban nature’s potential, with strong community support and an ongoing role in European environmental initiatives. As Bucharest continues to grow, Văcărești stands as a model for integrating nature into the fabric of urban life.
We interviewed Dan Barbulescu, Director of the Văcărești Nature Park Association, about the park’s history and transformation into a thriving urban wetland. We also explored the challenges of managing the delicate ecosystem amidst climate change and the importance of community engagement in its preservation. Dan discussed educational programs that bring thousands of children to the park each year and efforts to integrate nature into urban planning.
Could you tell us about the history of this area?
It’s a famous place partly because it has an interesting and dramatic history, starting during the Communist regime. This part of the city was a residential neighbourhood. The group of children entering the park right now are actually walking on the former streets of that neighbourhood. The streets, along with the small houses and orchards, were demolished, and a lake was planned to be built here—a water retention pond. This was in 1988. However, the Romanian Revolution in 1989 and the subsequent political changes halted the investment, leaving the pond empty and unfinished.
So there was some natural water already in the field before the construction began as there was a river close to the park, and this area is located in the valley of that river. The underground water level is high in this part of the city, which is why we have those lakes over there. The water started to reflow into the area, creating an authentic wetland with a beautiful landscape, trees, reed beds, and a variety of specific animals and plants.
How was this area discovered in a somewhat forgotten part of the city?
Yes, despite its proximity—just 4.5 km from the city centre—the park had been largely forgotten until it was rediscovered after 2010. Biologist Vlad Fleck played a key role in this rediscovery while studying local wildlife. The park soon caught the attention of photographers, nature enthusiasts, and specialists. In 2012, National Geographic Romania featured an article showcasing its natural beauty and calling for conservation efforts. This exposure led to the creation of the Văcărești Nature Park Association, which, from 2012 to 2016, spearheaded a national campaign to secure its protection. We meticulously documented the park’s diverse species, plants, and habitats, and by May 2016, our efforts culminated in the park’s official designation as Romania’s first urban natural park.
Were there other challenges you faced?
The next challenge was managing the park’s natural ecosystem. Although we secured the protection status, the fragile wetland in the middle of the city needed careful management. This challenge was addressed two years ago when the Municipality of Bucharest organised the park’s management service. Now, the park is managed by the municipality, which handles both visiting activities and nature conservation. This is crucial for the park’s future, as maintaining the wetland and its habitats is essential for long-term sustainability.
What strategies and activities did you mobilize beyond scientific research and data collection to support the campaign for the park’s protection?
This is indeed an interesting question. The process to protect the park was not only a legal challenge but also involved convincing the public of the area’s significance. Our strategy included organising visits to the park with schoolchildren to demonstrate its value for nature, education, and recreation. These visits became a pivotal element of our protection strategy, allowing us to engage directly with the community and discuss the importance of preserving natural spaces.
Currently, the park is renowned for these educational efforts, particularly during Romania’s “Green Week.” This program encourages schools and teachers to explore natural environments with their students. Just this past month, we hosted over 5,000 children at the park, highlighting its role as a vital educational resource where young visitors can learn about and experience nature first-hand.
Was the public opinion ready for this kind of nature?
Initially, people were a bit reluctant. Some were uncomfortable with the idea of being so close to wildlife, fearing snakes or other animals. However, as we started guiding them through the park and discussing the benefits of ecosystem services and health, they became more friendly and familiar with the concept. Now, the local community is one of the park’s strongest supporters.
I assume that new constructions around the park benefits significantly from its presence.
Certainly, the new constructions around the park are the biggest beneficiaries. As you can imagine, having an apartment here, with such a view right in front of your room, is fantastic. This is true not only for the people living nearby but also for children coming from schools and guided by the park’s administration and other rangers. It’s truly a fantastic opportunity. However, the great challenge right now is to maintain the wetland and to implement nature management strategies that can counteract the effects of climate change. This is our main challenge at the moment, actively managing to preserve wetlands because with the increasing hot days and decreasing rainfall, the park has lost water areas in the last year, which is a clear signal for us that we need to intervene.
What are the current uses of the park? Is it free to access?
The park is free to access. You can take a walk, have an hour of recreation, or engage in activities such as running and cycling. Many people visit the park to run, while others cycle or come with their children for recreational purposes. It truly is a green space dedicated to both education and recreation.
As a representative of a non-governmental conservation NGO, I believe the Nature Park could also serve a utility beyond recreation as a nature-based solution. For example, you can collect rainwater from the neighbourhood and pump it into the park. At the same time, you restore the ponds of the park and maintain them, which solves the problem of rainwater being wasted by going into the sewage network. Thus, you address two issues simultaneously with this nature-based solution.
Are there challenges in connecting the park with its surroundings?
Connecting the park both for people and nature presents a significant challenge due to its circular shape and the surrounding concrete walls. This isolation affects the native species and their habitats, making it essential to find ways to link these ecological areas with the external environment. Nearby, there are two large city parks and the Dumbowicza channel, which could potentially be used to create ecological corridors.
This effort to integrate the park into the city’s green infrastructure poses a huge, yet positive challenge not only for conservationists but also for architects, landscape engineers, and urban planners. It’s about enhancing the connectivity within the urban ecological network, which is crucial for the sustainability of local biodiversity and the overall health of the urban environment.
Is this integration effort currently underway?
Yes, it’s actively being led by our NGO. We recently signed a partnership with the municipality’s parks management service to study and restore the temporary ponds in the park, which are vital to the ecosystem. We’re working together to better integrate and conserve the park.
What activities are prohibited in the park, and how do you enforce these rules?
The biggest concern right now is preventing fires, which are very dangerous for the park. No fire usage, including smoking, is allowed. The park has an official regulation enforced by the police and the park’s management service. The Văcărești Nature Park is currently in a positive situation regarding protection.
As an NGO, what role do you play in enforcing these regulations and informing the municipality?
Our focus is on research, raising awareness, forming partnerships, co-creation, and education. We aim to inspire stakeholders, including the municipality, communities, universities, and other NGOs, to better protect the park.
Could you explain the national legislation on urban and natural protected areas and how you and the park have contributed to this national awareness or movement?
We initiated discussions with stakeholders from the central administration, particularly the Ministry of Environment, to advocate for legislation that protects urban natural areas. Last year, we expanded our efforts beyond the park’s boundaries to establish other urban nature protected areas in Bucharest.
Last week, we opened another nature area in the northern part of the city. It’s a wetland, smaller than the Văcărești Nature Park, but equally beautiful. It features a visiting trail with information panels and interactive infrastructure, and is open for children, teachers, and other nature lovers. Through these efforts, we work with stakeholders to better integrate nature into our lives.
Is there pressure on these parks by real estate developers?
For the Văcărești Nature Park, real estate investment is not currently a real danger due to its nature protection status under official legislation. The park is not only designated as a nature protected area but also has a special hydrological status. Since it was a lake according to government legislation, it is still recognised as such, meaning you cannot build in the middle of a lake. So far, no building permits have been issued for this area.
Additionally, there is another layer of protection: the neighbourhood’s awareness of the park. We have successfully raised awareness among local residents and the broader Bucharest community about the park’s significance. The residents are well-informed and ready to support the park’s situation.
Are you building any international alliances to protect these areas?
Yes, we are part of an international project called Natalie, financed by the European Commission through the Horizon project. We’re collaborating with 42 partners across the European Union to find solutions to mitigate climate change. Văcărești Nature Park is a case study in this five-year project.
There’s an international movement growing for nature to be better represented in our cities, which are becoming more crowded, polluted, and dense. It’s encouraging to see this shift towards integrating nature into urban environments.
Interview by Levente Polyak.
