Where once the abandonment and degradation of an abusive landfill reigned, today a magnificent oasis of biodiversity affiliated to the WWF is located, right next to the famous Castel Romano Designer Outlet. An extraordinary and concrete example of how the collaboration between private individual and environmental associations can return to nature and the community a regenerated space, which can be used for free from all.
The WWF affiliated Oasis of Castel Romano today celebrates its first anniversary, marking a surprising success: in just twelve months he welcomed 130,000 visitors, including customers of the shopping center, employees, families and school groups, becoming a model of urban sustainability and environmental awareness.
A large oasis can be born from a large abandoned area
The WWF affiliated Oasis of Castel Romano It extends for about 11 hectares in the splendid setting of the Decima-Malafede nature reserve. Here, Castel Romano Designer Outlet, of the McArthurGlen group, has transformed an abandoned green area – acquired in 2002 and previously used as an abusive landfill – into an extraordinary natural park.
The oasis offers beyond 2.5 km of paths, With conservation interventions aimed at protecting the agricultural landscape typical of the Roman countryside, which alternates wet grasslands with wooded areas. The particular conformation of the area guarantees the presence of different ecosystems, from the Mediterranean scrub to the areas specifically created to increase the presence of pollinating species, such as bees and butterflies.
A project born almost by chance, which has become a symbol of rebirth
The history of the oasis begins in 2002 when Mcarthurglenthe company that owns the nearby Outlet, acquires the neighboring green area, then abandoned and transformed into an illegal landfill. For years the area remains unused, until the brilliant intuition of Francesco Mancuso, marketing manager of the company and passionate runner, does not change the destiny of the place. As he told us to the event of the first anniversary of the Oasis:
In the lunch break I like to go running and every day I was in front of this large abandoned green area that he did not know anyone and then I asked the colleague responsible for Letizia Bianchetti what it was, of who it was and if it could be redeveloped in some way. When I was explained to me that all this area was our own property, the light bulb turned on and I said why not try to make a natural park accessible for everyone? When I explained the project to McArthurGlen managers were super happy, collaborative. In a few months together we created the project, reclaimed the area that was practically an abusive landfill, created the pond, the routes and planted over 5 thousand trees.
With an important investment, over half a million euros, the area has been totally reclaimed and redeveloped, thanks to a project curated by OSA study and made by ASSIVERDE SEight supervision of Rome Nature. Today the Oasis hosts over 5,000 new autochthonous shrubs and trees such as oaks, holm oaks, strawberries, hawthorn and numerous precious mellipheres plants for bees and butterflies. The collaboration and coivolization of the WWF Italia is decisive to create this treasure chest of biodiversity.
A year of biodiversity and participation
During this first year of life, Oasis offered daily naturalistic paths between forest and Mediterranean scrub, free guided tours, educational activities and a wide natural playground dedicated to children. The incredible participation of the public shows that the need of nature, even next to a large shopping center, is strong and felt by the community.
To celebrate this first birthday it was A new area inauguratedregenerated after the devastating fire of summer 2023, enriched by a special attraction: Four impressive dinosaurs with natural size, absolute protagonists of the summer. Here it is also possible to admire “the Phoenix Tree” a centenary oak that literally reborn from the ashes that also resisted the subsequent fires.
The new hiking courses just inaugurated cross some of the most fascinating areas of the Oasis. These are panoramic paths, suitable for both expert hikers and families, who allow to explore previously inaccessible areas.
During the walks, visitors can admire suggestive views of the permanent pond, directly observe the wild fauna and enjoy parking areas designed for short breaks or relaxing picnics immersed in nature.
In addition to trekking and educational walks, Oasis offers naturalistic workshops, birdwatching, sensory paths and initiatives dedicated to naturalistic photography, making the experience even more complete and stimulating.
A virtuous example of public-private collaboration
The WWF Oasis of Castel Romano is a concrete and replicable example of how the collaboration between private subjects and public institutions can return to local communities precious and sustainable green spaces. A synergy that brings together economic investments, technical skills and institutional sensitivity, creating places that concretely improve the quality of life of people.
As pointed out by Titti di Salvo, President of the IX Town Hall in Rome, the project represents
A concrete, useful and precious intervention for the entire local and citizen community, the result of a virtuous dialogue between entrepreneurial realities and local institutions for the common good.
A shared and participated path, as Enrico Biancato, center manager of Castel Romano Designer Outlet, recalled, which reiterates the commitment of the private individual in continuing to invest in environmental protection and education to sustainability:
We want this oasis to become more and more a strong and stable reference to sensitize citizens, especially young generations, to the themes of biodiversity and respect for nature.
Protection and conservation: the biodiversity found
The WWF Oasis of Castel Romano is not only a place of entertainment and relaxation, but also a crucial point of conservation of urban biodiversity. Between paths and wetlandsVisitors can observe amphibians, foxes, footprints, tortoys and birds of prey such as Gheppio and Nibbio Bruno. In addition, thanks to the hives present, natural honey is already available for the local community.
The oasis is characterized by three large clearingseach with distinct peculiarities: the first, with a playful and recreational vocation, hosts a natural playground enlarged and equipped for children; The second clearing offers wet grasslands and aquatic gardens with the suggestive labyrinth of the melliphere plants and an observatory for birdwatching; Finally, the third area, deliberately left to the spontaneous evolution of nature, is a place where it is possible to observe uncontaminated ecosystems.
In addition, the park offers three comfortable equipped picnic areas, ideal for combining a shopping day to discover the natural environment, to live without haste and awareness of the wonderful resources of the territory.
A commitment for the future
This project is part of the large sustainability path of the McArthurGlen group, which through the Evolve platform aims at the goal Net Zero by 2040. With concrete actions, such as the WWF affiliated Oasis of Castel Romano, the private individual shows that profit and sustainability cannot only coexist, but even strengthen each other.
The oasis is open free of charge every day from 9 to sunset.
Info and reservations: mcarthurglen.it/castelromano/oasi
Email: oasi.castelromano@ mcarthurglen.com
