The Draganziolo Oasis

❝On the Draganziolo River, a forward-thinking project for river restoration created a flourishing natural area. The space serves two important functions: to cleanse the river of pollution and to offload excess water to regulate flooding. The restored floodplain allows us to think about the many possible approaches to river restoration in the Veneto.❞

At the town of Trebaseleghe, in the high plains of the Paduan territory that are crossed by abundant water courses of resurgence origin, there is a special, green area where avant-garde experimentation, environmental and recreational aspects meet. Lying along the riverbed of the Draganziolo, a resurgence, affluent river of the Marzenego, it is connected to the well-equipped town park, and is therefore part of the urban fabric of Trebaseleghe.
The river oasis is the result of a major restoration project on the Draganziolo. Created by the "Acque Risorgive" (Resurgence Waters) Reclamation Board, its aim is to limit the risk of flooding in areas surrounding the river, and, moreover, to recreate a semi natural space next to the waterway which may be accessed by the local community. The oasis, therefore, is particularly interesting as a model that can be easily replicated in a number of rivers, not only in Veneto, an example of good water governance and of the opportunity to generate new recreational spaces for the local population.
The reclaimed floodplain is almost a hectare wide, and takes advantage of several natural meanders created by the waterway. It features a splendid hydrophilous wood of alders, white poplars and willows, as well as the swamp vegetation found along the banks. There are numerous itineraries where we can admire the entire floodplain, thanks also to a very practical foot and cycle bridge that links the two river banks. The Draganziolo Oasis is therefore an ideal model for the natural cleansing of polluting agents by water itself. Not only does it limit the risk of flooding, it can be easily replicated in other contexts, and as such is a contemporary and forward thinking model, which truly expresses a civilized approach to the most precious good of our planet, water.