Have you ever thought about escaping the stress of the capital without having to go too far? A true rural oasis, Água Branca Park is an urban park located in Barra Funda. There, you’ll find trees, lakes, and bird aviaries—perfect for relaxing and taking a walk.
In 1905, the area belonged to the Practical School of Pomology and Horticulture, dedicated to teaching agricultural activities, which operated until 1911. However, in 1928, the state government decided to establish the Animal Industry Directorate there, along with an exhibition hall.
The park we know today was not inaugurated until the following year, in 1929, in honor of the then-state secretary of agriculture: Dr. Fernando Costa. In fact, the site’s origins remain visible in the remaining small-scale buildings—inspired by Norman architecture—such as the Casa do Caboclo.
Even though it is surrounded by avenues and buildings, the park invites visitors to slow down and enjoy features such as groves, bamboo groves, carp ponds, lakes, and an area for equine therapy.
In addition, it’s worth checking out the historic pavilions and old trees in the area, which preserve the area’s history and still offer recreation, culture, and environmental education.
What to do at Água Branca Park?
Covering an area of approximately 136,800 m², Água Branca Park offers attractions for those seeking closer contact with nature through trails such as the Angico Trail, the Pau-Brasil Trail, and the Paulo Nogueira Trail.
In addition to offering a playground and picnic areas for family outings, the site hosts an Organic Farmers’ Market run by the Organic Agriculture Association.
During your visit, you can also check out the Visitor Center, which features art studios, a reading room, and other activities such as workshops and educational programs. The space also has pavilions and arenas that host a variety of events.
Another place worth checking out is the Valdemar Lefèvre Geological Museum (MUGEO), which was established in the park in 1967. Its collection is rich in rocks, minerals, fossils, and scientific history.
Local wildlife
Known for decades for having chickens, peacocks, and other birds roaming freely throughout the area, Água Branca Park has kept the animals in controlled areas since 2023, due to preventive measures against avian flu.
Therefore, if you’d like to see the species housed there, you can still observe them in the aviaries. There, visitors can get a close-up look at geese, guinea fowl, Indian peacocks, and the pigeons in the dovecote.
In 2021, approximately 190 species were recorded at the site, including 8 species of fish and more than 40 species of birds cataloged through biological studies and inventories.
How can you visit the park?
Open daily from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., Água Branca Park is located at 455 Francisco Matarazzo Avenue, in the Água Branca neighborhood, Barra Funda district. Admission is free and grants access to most activities.
However, specific services and programs may have their own rules and require advance registration. Therefore, before you go, it’s worth checking the park’sofficial social media accounts .
