Fuente Álamo to transform the ill-fated La Torrica racetrack site into a new public park

After years of legal delays and issues with illegal raves, the council is repurposing the abandoned circuit into a nature reserve

The old La Torrica racetrack site on the outskirts of Fuente Álamo is finally moving onto a new chapter. After nearly two decades of failed starts as a motorsport venue, the local council is pivoting away from this plan and choosing instead to transform the site into a massive public park and green space.

Originally known as the Los Milanos circuit, the site has been a source of frustration for the town for 17 years. Although the track was technically 'finished' in 2018, it was never officially opened due to safety concerns and surfacing issues.

For years, the site sat in limbo, in too poor a condition to be a professional racetrack, but too large to be easily secured. This lack of use led to a different kind of reputation. The abandoned circuit became a magnet for illegal parties, reaching a low point when a massive, seven-day rave over the 2023/24 New Year period was held there. That event saw roughly 5,000 people descend on the site, leaving behind a trail of graffiti and tonnes of rubbish that cost the council thousands of euros to clean up.

While the council originally intended to spend over €750,000 to fix the track surface and restart motorsport activities, a series of contract disputes and missed deadlines with builders late last year effectively ended those plans. With regional subsidies at risk and the community tired of the 'rave culture' the empty site attracted, the town hall has decided to change direction entirely.

The project is officially titled 'La Torrica Re-Program-Amable,' a name that suggests the area is being reprogrammed to be more welcoming, but to families, not ravers. This new focus shifts the site toward nature and sustainability, aligning with the New European Bauhaus movement. This continent-wide programme encourages cities to transform old industrial areas into inclusive, beautiful, and eco-friendly spaces for the public.

A new beginning

The transition began recently with a series of community events titled 'Fuente Álamo en familia'. Rather than racing bikes, the site hosted upcycling workshops, youth sports and family activities.

To mark the official change, residents and officials gathered for a symbolic reforestation day. They planted native Aleppo pines (the pino carrasco common to this part of Spain) right on the grounds where the racing track once sat.

The long-term goal is to soften the landscape. The harsh lines of the old circuit will eventually be replaced by walking trails, picnic areas, and there will be areas for outdoor exercise. For the council, it is a way to finally put an end to the uncertainty of the last 20 years.

By turning the site into a green space for the municipality, the authorities hope to create a space that is used every day by families, putting an end to the site's motor-racing dreams.

Image 1: Región de Murcia Film Commission
Image 2: Artistic representation
Image 3: Ayuntamiento de Fuente Álamo