Jardim de Alá

Jardim de Alá is an urban park situated between Ipanema and Leblon that runs along a navigable canal connecting Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas to the Atlantic Ocean. The space features docks, tree-lined paths, and a green corridor separating the two neighborhoods.

The canal was constructed in the 1920s under Mayor Carlos Sampaio to improve water renewal in Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas and reduce flooding in the surrounding area. This infrastructure project reshaped the geography and enabled better drainage across the region.

Several monuments occupy the grounds, including an obelisk recalling the Battle of Riachuelo and sculptures titled Protection and Woman and Feline. These works become part of daily life for people who walk past and notice them.

The park remains accessible throughout the day and offers space for walking, jogging, or simply spending time beneath almond and sibipiruna trees. Early morning is best if you prefer quieter paths where tai chi practitioners and dog owners move about.

A stone slab from 1922 near the beach marks the construction period and bears the names of President Epitácio Pessoa and Engineer Saturnino de Brito. This modest marker reveals who was behind one of Rio's major transformations.