The Municipal Chamber of Mafra, in the Lisbon district, is starting the construction of the Empa Ecological Park, north of Ericeira, budgeted at 1.1 million euros, the municipality announced.
The municipality stated that, after the archaeological works were completed, “the awarding of the contract took place on August 27, therefore the (…) works are in the initiation phase”.
“An intervention to requalify a singular place, grounded in recognizing its natural, environmental and landscape specificity,” the municipality stated in the proposal to launch the public tender, which took place in January.
The project aims to promote ecological restoration of the natural heritage and the interpretation and enhancement of cultural and landscape value in the area surrounding Fort Milreu.
The municipality also intends to create an ecological space that values the land/sea and urban/rural connection and the existing natural heritage, turning it into a sustainable space for leisure and landscape enjoyment in the northern part of the Ericeira village.
With the project, the document also states, it seeks to promote ecological transition and climate resilience, to promote the protection and preservation of nature and biodiversity between the Empa and Orelheira beaches.
According to the Alcobaça-Cabo Espichel Coastal Strip program, the Empa Ecological Park is integrated into coastal protection belts, allowing actions for the rehabilitation of coastal ecosystems, as well as the construction of pedestrian or cycle circulation structures and other facilities supporting public enjoyment.
The intervention is also integrated into the Natura 2000 Network, taking into account the existence of cliffs with endemic vegetation.
The works, financed by European Union funds from the Portugal 2030 program, will have a seven-month execution period.
