Visiting Martin Luther King Park
In the 17th arrondissement of Paris, you will find a 10-hectare park. Formerly known as Clichy-Batignolles, it was renamed in 2020 to honor the civil rights leader Martin Luther King.
History
Discussions about creating a park here began as early as 2001, though landscape architect Jacqueline Osty and her team could not break ground until 2004. The project was built with a strong focus on sustainable development, aiming for a zero-carbon footprint. This approach led to optimized energy management systems alongside wind turbines and solar panels. Rainwater harvesting and specialized waste management systems round out the eco-friendly design.
The plant life was chosen with equal care, featuring only species with low water, fertilizer, and pesticide requirements.
The park was designed to reclaim asphalt-heavy Parisian spaces by extending greenery right up to the surrounding apartment buildings. The grounds sit atop the former Batignolles freight rail yard. Old railway tracks still cross the site, though they are no longer in service.
Evolution of Martin Luther King Park
Martin Luther King Park opened in three phases. The first section debuted in 2007, covering just 4.3 hectares.
A second section opened to the public in 2014, adding 2.2 hectares. Because the neighborhood was undergoing major revitalization, the park was integrated into the broader urban planning strategy. This second phase cost 22 million euros and added a pedestrian footbridge crossing the old tracks along with a restaurant.
The final phase wrapped up in 2020. A waterfall and a pond were added, and a new metro station named Pont Cardinet now drops visitors right at the park, which has reached its full 10-hectare size.
A spot for relaxation and green walks right in the capital.
Opening hours
| Monday | 07:00-20:30 |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 07:00-20:30 |
| Wednesday | 07:00-20:30 |
| Thursday | 07:00-20:30 |
| Friday | 07:00-20:30 |
| Saturday | 07:00-20:30 |
| Sunday | 07:00-20:30 |
Very recent compared to other historic gardens in Paris, Martin Luther King Park is truly modern and surprising.
Quite different from the Jardin du Luxembourg, you will be surrounded here by the new constructions (still under construction in 2017) of the Batignolles, with a decidedly modern architecture. The garden itself is decorated in an atypical way. The semi-wild looking water basins sit alongside play areas for children and teenagers, and the tall grass hides paths or benches, making you feel like you can immerse yourself in nature.
Very pleasant to visit with friends, as a couple, or with family, even if it is the victim of its own success, as there are a lot of people.