Opinion – É Logo Ali: Minhocão, the park stolen from the urban obsession with cars

When I was a child, I lived with my family in the central region of São Paulo and, on the way to school, I had to dodge huge blocks of concrete over the course of a year that would later become the viaduct inaugurated in 1971 under the name of Elevado Presidente Costa e Silva —but from the first moment adopted (or rejected) by the population as “the Minhocão”.

In 2016, the monster that for years tormented the residents of its surroundings, who saw thousands of cars practically enter through their windows without any concern from the authorities with the social impact, changed its name and changed its name to Elevado Presidente João Goulart, in honor of to the president deposed by the 1964 coup, the group of the former honoree. Even with all the democratic spirit, however, the Minhocão remains consecrated as, that’s right, Minhocão. And more: since 2018, with the signature of former mayor João Doria, who dreamed of New York’s High Line, it officially became a park. Minhocão Park. Or almost, go.

The fact is that, despite being called a park, the only characteristic that fits it so far is the closing of car access from 8pm to 7am on weekdays and from 8pm on Fridays to 7am on Mondays weekends. Pedestrians can use the space from 8pm to 10pm on weekdays and from 7am to 10pm on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. But what do you mean, many grumble, park without trees, without shade, without drinking fountains or bathrooms? Well, that’s how, without any of that, the city appropriated its 2.7 kilometers of extension between Franklin Roosevelt square and Padre Péricles square.

The impediment to the circulation of cars at night has brought some peace to the residents of the surroundings, who no longer have to live with the expectation of waking up at dawn with an unruly driver on the pillow next to them. But that doesn’t mean the controversy surrounding the Minhocão ended. Although it has been made a park and has gained four rest areas set up every weekend and holiday with benches and wooden platforms, its final destination will only be sealed in 2029, as explained by Law 16.050/14 in its article 375. “the gradual deactivation of the Elevado for vehicles by 2029 is foreseen, being able to transform it, partially or completely, into a park or demolish it”, as informed by the SPTuris (São Paulo Turismo), managing body of the piece.

In other words, until then, the park will limit itself to being what it is: a concrete road stolen from the urban obsession with cars, with a few decorations here and there and, yes, of course, vendors of ice water, coconuts and beer every few days. meters, to hydrate the citizen (it doesn’t hurt to remember that shade, there, only from the buildings and at certain times). It is still a form of rebellion and it is nice to see regulars with their towels sunbathing on the central flower bed, practicing physical activities, having picnics or even watching some of the performances and projections that the neighborhood windows offer by surprise to passersby. . Yes, it’s all there.

And for those who still think it might be a boring program to walk down an overpass, there’s good news: along the way, one of the most important street art galleries in the city was installed, with dozens of graffiti vying for the gables of the buildings. in all its surroundings. And, as it is the genesis of graffiti, what is today may not be what it is tomorrow, always surprising the visitor with new and powerful images. It is not by chance that SPTuris computed, just last September, a total public of 85 thousand people circulating through the space, with an average of 9 thousand on weekends and almost 500 visitors per day.

SPTuris also informs that it provides security teams at the accesses to the area at the times allowed to pedestrians, but it is worth emphasizing that the concept of security in the region can be quite elastic and that cases of cell phone theft are frequent, mainly by cyclists who they mix with sportsmen and snatch the devices from the hands of those who fool around. It may not seem like it, but that’s still São Paulo.

Recently, on October 19, the Public Administration Commission of the São Paulo City Council approved a project by councilor Gilson Barreto (PSDB) that proposes to reduce the closing period of the Minhocão, extending car traffic to the 9:30 pm. The proposal generated protests from residents and users of the space, as was to be expected. For architect Felipe Rodrigues, 32, vice president of the Parque Minhocão Association, an entity that has been mobilizing for years to prevent setbacks in the occupation of leisure space, the councilor’s proposal is absurd.

For him, Minhocão “has to stay as it is, the space already has a life of its own and the city has to understand that people matter more than cars.” And he adds: “Of course we always want it to improve, but nothing that extends the hours for cars”.

Residents and users of the area, without a doubt, sign below. Although there are many who would really like to see Minhocão on the ground — but then that’s prose for another blog.