Parque de las Presillas

Parque de las Presillas is an urban green space spanning about 57 hectares with a stone pine forest covering most of the area and a distinctive grove of more than 30 cork oak trees that are over 100 years old. The landscape shifts between denser woodland sections and more open areas with varied plant growth.

The land served as a military farm until the early 1990s when the city council acquired it during construction of the M-40 highway. This transformation marked the transition from agricultural use to public green space.

The cork oak grove represents the original plant life that once covered the Madrid region before cities expanded. Walking through this part reveals how local people value these trees as a connection to the natural heritage of their surroundings.

The park sits between neighborhoods and major roads, making it accessible from different parts of the city. Visit during quieter hours to enjoy the forest without heavy vehicle noise from the surrounding highways.

The cork oaks are officially registered by Spain's Ministry of Agriculture as an indigenous seed source for forest replanting projects across the region. This designation makes the site important for conservation efforts beyond just local recreation.