After a few unsettled days, there’s some good news on the ground in Santa Cruz.
Following the passage of Storm Emilia in mid-December 2025, Santa Cruz de Tenerife City Council has confirmed that all parks and public green spaces previously closed as a precaution are now fully reopened. The decision comes after technical inspections, clean-up work, and safety checks were completed across the city.
Among the spaces now open again are some of the city’s most popular spots, including Plaza San Francisco, Plaza del Príncipe, and Parque García Sanabria, along with a long list of neighbourhood parks such as La Granja, Don Quijote, Las Indias, Palmetum surroundings, and others spread throughout the capital.
Damage assessment and clean-up efforts
Between Friday 12 and Monday 15 December, the storm caused structural damage to 43 trees across Santa Cruz. Some suffered broken branches, while others were affected at the trunk or root level. Nine of those incidents occurred within the Palmetum botanical garden, which took a particular hit from the combination of wind and rain.
City services moved quickly to assess each case, removing hazardous branches, clearing debris, and checking that there was no ongoing risk to the public before reopening the affected areas.
According to the city council, the priority throughout the episode was safety. Once that was assured, teams shifted focus to restoring normal access and tidying up the inevitable mess left behind.
Christmas decorations also affected
As you might expect, the storm didn’t spare the festive decorations.
Out of nearly 200 incidents logged over the weekend, several involved Christmas lighting and installations. The large Christmas tree installed in the lake at Plaza de España suffered damage to its lower section, which has since been removed to ensure public safety.
Meanwhile, the oversized decorative Christmas sphere on Valentín Sanz Street, measuring ten metres by ten metres, will be taken down entirely after structural damage was identified.
Repairs and adjustments to seasonal decorations are now ongoing, with safety once again leading the decision-making.
A reminder to stay cautious
While the city is steadily returning to normal, the council has reiterated the importance of following safety advice during periods of adverse weather. High winds and heavy rain can have lingering effects, particularly in parks, coastal areas, and places with mature trees.
For now, though, it’s reassuring to see Santa Cruz’s green spaces back open and ready to be enjoyed again. A small but welcome sign that life on the island is settling back into its usual rhythm after a lively reminder that winter in Tenerife can still make itself felt.
