Enabling opportunities for physical activity

Park Lužánky underwent extensive reconstruction between 1991-2012 through five phases (Ref 2) to restore a recreational hub of the city's largest park through ecologically sound design (Ref. 1; Ref. 2). Each phase worked restored different sections of the park. This included modification of green areas, landscaping (treatment of trees, planting new trees and perennial plants, restoration of grasslands), building a children's playground, a fitness park, and an artificial water element that imitates the former stream of the river Ponávka. (Ref. 1).

The city district Japigia in 2013 has proposed a project of a new park that links the necessity of housing, open spaces, urban sustainability. The park is centre of green spaces with a high level of accessibility, in a part of the city which was previously abandoned. The presence of hedges and trees guarantees the liveability of the area, while at the same time providing important ecosystem services such as mitigation of urban pollution and mediation of visual impact. The same can be said for the vertical gardens which will characterise the entrance of the park. (Ref.1.)

The Willem Alexander Park is the first roof park of Utrecht and is built on a highway tunnel (the A2 highway) and includes meeting areas, sports and activities and a community garden that contributes to social cohesion. It also allows for cultural development by creating spaces for art and culture and includes a sustainable drainage system (ref. 1, 2). In addition, the Willem Alexanderpark is the first park in which almost two hectares consists of prairie plantings (ref. 2).
The park is intersected by the roads between the City road and Leeuwenstein-North. Each segment between the roads has its own thematic program, appropriate to the size and location in the urban context. The themes are:
– connect & meet
– art & culture
– sports & games
– nature & education
– food & drinks (ref. 4)

The project relating to the waterfront of San Girolamo di Bari is an important piece of the mosaic that provides a new design for the entire city waterfront, from North to South: Santo Spirito, Palese, (precisely) San Girolamo, the connection between Bread and Tomato and Torre Quetta, temporary uses on the San Giorgio waterfront, up to the redevelopment of the South promenade. The project which is almost completed, regenerated the seaside part of Bari, making the seaside accessible and link the city with the coastal area by creating a multi-functional space where playgrounds, a cycling path and green open spaces were built to enhance the liveability of the area. In this way, what was previously considered just as an economic and working part of the city became a new center of social interaction by creating a new institutional green space. (Ref.1, Ref.6).

The park has been upgraded to include newly planted trees and shrubs, a meadow, children playgrounds, sitting areas for adult visitors, a wooden footbridge, and a water retention pond which collects rainwater from the roofs of nearby houses. The aim of the project was to establish and restore near-natural vegetation in the urbanized area, enhance biodiversity at the site, handle rainwater in a smart way, and provide a place for recreation (Ref. 2; Ref. 3; Ref 4). Additional restorations have included the creation of barbecue areas for gathering and cooking, and events are hosted at the space as well (Ref 8). Through voting, wider park expansions have also been approved (Ref 9).

The Hachinger Brook is a natural water body, which level of water is highly influenced by groundwater. Due to the spatial expansion of Munich, sections of the brook were forced into concrete canals and pipes. The idea of restoring the brook into a quasi-natural state had already emerged in the committee of city panning in 1984. The city council of Munich decided in 2014 is to reconstruct the natural state on a 2,6 km stretch of the Hachinger Brook between Kampenwandstraße and Hüllgraben by excavating it and to turn it into a recreational area. In addition to the stream, the former village pond next to the stream is planned to be restored. (Reference 1) Trees and other vegetation will be planted alongside some sections of the brook. (Reference 1, 2). Because of the reluctance of the landowners on the proposed site of the intervention to accept a brook flowing through their property, in 2020, the implementation still hasn’t begun. (Reference 7)

In an effort to improve the Holásecká lakes for both recreation and local natural conditions, the revitalization project has modified areas on the shores of the Holásecké lakes reconstructed culverts between the lakes, and removed the panel which fortified the Opleta and Lávka lakes (Ref. 4). The largest restoration activity includes removal of mud from the lakes (which can be repurposed due to low contamination) for the sake of ecologically restoring the area (Ref. 4). Plans also include improving recreation by installing wooden piers and developing a paved footpath with benches (Ref. 1). The ecological restoration will be important for wildlife, especially birds and amphibians (Ref. 8).

The project focuses on the development of a sustainable, social and ecological park that promotes citizen participation (ref. 2), which is one of the largest city parks in the Netherlands. It combines various blue-green infrastructure elements (ref. 1). The park includes recreational facilities, a butterfly garden and special constructions that provide habitat for species. The Máximapark runs largely on volunteers and the citizen participation is the outstanding character of the development of the park (ref. 2).

The project was born with the idea of solving the huge debate around the creation of a city park that connects different parts of the city. The area close to the railway will be regenerated thanks to an above-ground park. This solution will allow to have a new green space in the city, and an additional panoramic view that will be experienced thanks to a new cycling path. In this way the whole area that surrounds the rails of the central station will be regenerated, providing at the same time an attempt to mend the urban and social fabric. (Ref.1.)

Little France Park is the city’s newest park reclaiming unmanaged grassland for the local community and carving out a green corridor from the city centre to Midlothian. It will establish a new corridor for wildlife whilst offering a network of paths, cycleways spread across 45 hectares. ELGT have submitted a Pre Application Notice to create new public parkland. It will establish a new corridor for wildlife whilst offering a network of paths, cycleways spread across 45 hectares. It is expected to provide a valuable green asset to new and existing communities. The parkland will be an important part of the green network with enhanced biodiversity. The existing landscape features will be enhanced, including wetland habitats, woodland planting, meadow grassland and space for events or informal sports. It is an opportunity to create active travel routes integrated with green infrastructure. The fully realized Little France Park will include 3 parkland areas, which together create habitat and species-rich areas. The project is due in late 2020. (ref 1, 2, 5, 6)