"A new green, leafy lung for Rio de Janeiro, built on a massive outcropping of land claimed back from the sea. Such was the ambitious idea on the mind of Carlota de Macedo Soares (1910-1967). Better known as Lota, she was a tenacious Brazilian woman who fought against all odds to achieve her dream of building a park for the people."
"This month, Flamengo Park celebrates 60 years of verdant beauty. The story of its creation is a Carioca epic full of twists and turns, much like de Macedo's own personal life, which was marked by her stormy relationship with the American poet Elizabeth Bishop. At first glance, it seems as if Flamengo Park has always been there, with its bright green grass, tropical trees near Sugarloaf Mountain, Rio's iconic landmark that can be seen from all vantage points in the city."
Flamengo Park occupies 120 hectares of reclaimed land created from rocks, rubble and sand produced by demolishing a central hill and constructing new tunnels through Rio's granite hills. The reclaimed land, commonly called aterro, emerged as the city pursued modernity and automobile-driven infrastructure connecting the center to southern neighborhoods like Ipanema and Copacabana. Governor Carlos Lacerda commissioned Carlota de Macedo Soares (Lota) to decide the land's use. Lota reduced planned highways from four to two, conserved space for a seaside tropical park, assembled top leadership, and persevered against obstacles to realize a major urban green space.
Read at english.elpais.com
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