Clichy‑Batignolles – Martin Luther King Park is a modern 10‑hectare urban oasis located in the eco‑neighborhood of Batignolles in Paris’s 17th arrondissement. Designed by landscape architect Jacqueline Osty starting in 2004 and opened in phases between 2007 and 2021, this park exemplifies sustainable urban design on the former SNCF freight rail yard site.

The park’s layout centers on three thematic axes — seasons, sport, and water. Planting reflects the seasons: cherry trees in spring, grasses and open lawns in summer, maple in autumn and evergreens in winter. The site retains traces of its rail past, with historical tracks built into pathways.

Amenities abound: children’s play areas, a skatepark, a multisport court (basketball, wall‑ball, pétanque), and ping‑pong tables. Rolling lawns are ideal for sunbathing, picnicking or reading outdoors. At the heart lies a nearly 3,000 m² biotope pond planted with irises, water lilies and reeds, serving natural water filtration and irrigation via rainwater collection — a hallmark of eco‑management.

A shared garden named “Perlimpinpin” and an orchard with apples, pears and berries reinforce biodiversity and community engagement. The belvedere, housed in a renovated historic forge building, offers panoramic views across the park and surrounding modern architecture and houses solar panels and staff facilities.

The atmosphere is vibrant yet serene. Joggers follow linear paths, families and friends relax in shaded or sunny areas, teens gather at the skatepark, others pause by the pond to watch ducks and aquatic plants. A memorial stele honors Jewish children deported during WWII, adding a poignant layer of historical remembrance.

The park appeals to a diverse audience — local residents, families, urban athletes, nature‑lovers — offering relaxation and recreation alike. Practical info: open daily from 7 am (8 am on weekends/holidays) until 17:45 in winter, up to 21:30 in summer; free admission and wheelchair‑accessible.