Thousands of visitors on weekends on 450,000 square meters: do you know Parque de Madureira?

Inaugurated by the City Hall in June of 2012 and expanded in 2015, Parque de Madureira Mestre Monarco (Madureira Mestre Monarco Park) is a space of 450,000 square meters located between the neighborhoods of Madureira and Guadalupe, in the north zone of Rio de Janeiro.

With thousands of visitors during the weekends, the park has become the region’s  green heart. Its space shelters multipurpose sports courts, playgrounds and an elderly gym. The structure has an Environmental Education Center, created with the objective to disseminate concepts of sustainability, and the Skate Park, considered one of the most completed in Latin America. Parque de Madureira (Madureira Park) brings fun, leisure, culture and education to the region. Most of the regulars are cariocas (people born in Rio de Janeiro), but the spot is open to any person from all around the world.

Since its inauguration, it has become the region’s main point, attracting fans of samba, pagode, hip hop, MPB (Música Popular Brasileira – Brazilian Popular Music), Brazilian rock n’ roll, among others. The regulars use the space to practice sports, celebrate birthdays, confraternization, hiking, ride bicycles, get together or just contemplate the place’s beauty, which is diverse. It is also a great place to bring children and elderly.

Right on the main entrance, you will see the Praça do Samba Paulo da Portela (‘Paulo da Portela Samba Square’, in English), one of the largest open-air stages in the city, with a huge structure that holds a full Bateria de Escola de Samba. There are several types of concerts and Tik Tok battles, besides dance practices of all kinds. 

The local also contemplates the Casa de Convivência Clara Nunes (‘Clara Nunes Community House’, in English), with free activities for people above 60 years old. The objective? To generate a direct impact on the visitor’s physical, mental and emotional health.

The Nave do Conhecimento (‘Knowledge Ship’, in English), an interactive space to stimulate the search for knowledge, is also located in the park and is totally open for the population, providing free of charge various technological possibilities. The Nave promotes courses and activities that aim to enhance the digital experience, in addition to contributing to the entry of young people and adults into the labor market through training in specific technological knowledge.

There are also several designed gardens. Among them, a Sensory Garden and a small Botanical Garden. Another space is the Arena Carioca Fernando Torres, where several events take place such as Jongo presentations, craft fairs and many cultural presentations.

There, you will also find outdoor gym equipment, three skate rinks for all levels, playgrounds, several sports courts such as soccer, volleyball, street basketball, society soccer, bocce practice area, table tennis tables, checkers, skating rinks, lakes, bike path, shared bicycle service, toys for children and much more. And there are plenty of places to cool off during the summer.

Madureira Park is a place with structure to spend the whole day. There are kiosks scattered at various points with meals, snacks and drinks for all tastes. But, if you prefer, you can also bring your own food and drink, as there are covered picnic structures and many restrooms throughout the park.

Cleaning is the responsibility of the Companhia de Limpeza Urbana (CONLURB) (‘Urban Cleaning Company’). Security is present through an internal camera circuit and several Municipal Guard posts, with frequent rounds, in addition to the constant presence of the Military Police.

In June 2022, Quiosque Moise (Moïse Kiosk), was inaugurated inside the park. According to Agência Brasil, the project was carried out by the Rio de Janeiro City Hall and the Orla Rio concessionaire, as a business opportunity for the family to undertake and disseminate the Congo culture to cariocas and tourists.

Madureira Park is more crowded on weekends, holidays and the eve of holidays, but it is never empty: there is always someone doing some kind of activity or just hanging out.

You, from anywhere in the world, must visit Madureira Park. It is an unspeakable experience. Enjoy it! Madureira Park, it ‘s ours!

To find out about main events and other information, follow the park on Instagram.