Juberri Gardens Creator Clears Sculptures After Council Order

Nicole Grignon, creator of the Juberri gardens in Sant Julià de Lòria, has removed nearly all sculptures from the communal site, relocating most to private land beside her home. Only works by artist Ángel Calvente remain, along with traces of disturbed earth and stone platforms.

The clearance followed a council notice dated 9 December, which invoked a 2004 agreement allowing unilateral termination with three months' notice. Grignon met the 9 March deadline, completing final tasks like disconnecting shared alarms and electricity on Monday. The council's consell menor, Sofia Cortesao, described the process as "very rapid."

Local residents' complaints intensified over summer, citing traffic congestion, illegal parking, litter, and safety risks that blocked emergency access near the Auvinyà quarter. After meetings in early December with around 40 neighbours, the council opted for full clearance, rejecting alternatives despite initial discussions.

Grignon expressed regret not for the sculptures' removal but for visitors who enjoyed them over 22 years, which attracted thousands. She added that the council offered no help with dismantling and noted the lack of successors to manage the site. Supporters urged her to resist, leaving her overwhelmed by gratitude.

While consell major Cerni Cairat suggested timeline flexibility in December, the council now plans to restore the space as a neighbourhood park. Cortesao said it will promote communication to explain changes and redirect tourists to attractions like the Camí de la Senyoreta, Tamarro, Macarulla route, or Naturland. A nearby parking project at Coma Bella is nearly ready to support these sites.

Future use of the recovered public land remains focused on residential needs, as officials view the area unsuitable for such a large tourist draw.