The lakes
Water birds.
FernandoSantos — CC BY-SA 3.0 · FernandoSantos — CC BY-SA 3.0 · CORRETOR-CARVALHO — CC BY-SA 3.0 · FernandoSantos — CC BY-SA 3.0 · FernandoSantos — CC BY-SA 3.0
The Tietê Ecological Park is a large park and environmental protection area in the floodplain of the Tietê River in eastern São Paulo, run by the state government. It grew out of flood-control works: the aim was to keep the floodplain's capacity to absorb the river's floods between Guarulhos and Ponte Nova and to turn the land around it into space for leisure, sport, culture and the protection of plants and animals, avoiding the mistake made downstream, where buildings and roads hem the river in. It was created by decree on 30 April 1976 and opened on 14 March 1982, with a landscape and architectural plan by the well-known architect Ruy Ohtake. Its main section, the «Núcleo Engenheiro Goulart», covers about 14 million square metres along the Ayrton Senna highway, with lakes, woods, walking and cycling paths and sports fields, and many water birds live on its lakes. Entry is free, and it is a major green escape for residents of the east side, above all at weekends. It is a long way from the centre, so go by car or by train and bus, and check opening times.
Water birds.
Wide open space.
Flood protection.
Rodovia Ayrton Senna, km 15, eastern São Paulo
As part of flood-control works, to keep the Tietê floodplain able to absorb floods and turn its surroundings into a park.