The Açude Velho is a small reservoir in the centre of Campina Grande — a blue patch of water surrounded by a pleasant promenade of palm trees and benches, and one of the most agreeable spots in the city for an evening walk. Food stalls and small bars set up along the waterfront in the evening, and local families come here to escape the heat and watch the sun go down.
The area around the reservoir is also the location of a small park with exercise equipment and a running track — increasingly common in Brazilian cities and reflecting the urban fitness culture that has taken hold here. It is not a dramatic sight, but it gives an accurate picture of how residents spend their free time.