The Rock Garden “Geologist Juan Paricio” (Alcorisa, Maestrazgo Geopark, Spain): An Effective Example of Geosciences Popularization

The Rock Garden “Geologist Juan Paricio” of Alcorisa provides a free geological environment in which both earth science students and visitors interested in geotourism have the educational and recreational opportunity to observe within a pleasant urban environment (a park next to a lake), 14 samples of sedimentary rocks that characterize and synthesize the geology of Alcorisa within the context of the Maestrazgo Geopark. The project offers a unique opportunity for the teaching of Geology and skills in the recognition of rocks, contextualized within the geological history of the Iberian Mountain Range through information panels, a guide accessible to a broader public (in PDF format), and additional information (available brochures) in English and Spanish. The balance of the first 5 years of activity of this accessible resource and low initial investment is positive, demonstrating great profitability and social interest, all an example of effective geological spreading in an urban context.