05.05.2023
Construction work has begun on the Salina Municipal Park, which will include an artificial lake. The project will cost approximately 2.4 million euros and is expected to be completed in two years.
Larnaca Mayor Andreas Viras told KYPE that Salina Park is one of three large parks that have begun to be created in the city. “The contract was signed on March 16, the plan was drawn up by the architect Elena Sofiano Olympiou, the work started recently and should be completed in about 18 months,” he said.
Mr Viras said the project is part of a new round of fundraising proposals in the new programming period 2021-2027 and is valued at around €2.4 million.
The goal of the Larnaca Municipality is to renovate the area to turn it into a green lung and a place for entertainment, sports, relaxation and social interaction.
Answering the question, Mr. Viras said that the park has two main entrances: one from the side of Leonidas Kyuppi Street opposite the City Garden, and the second – from the side of Griva Digeni Avenue. He explained that an entrance platform will be created after the main gate on Leonid Kyuppi Street, and then a garden with palm trees and stands will be laid out, which will be created in the form of an amphitheatre. Xefoto, which will become an event venue, is also zoned from east to west.
To the west of the lake, an Alley will be created, a footpath between rows of deciduous trees, which will be located between the lake and two architectural monuments. A bridge will also be built, starting from the plateau of the central entrance gate of Leonid Kiuppi Street and reaching the southeastern shore of the lake, and a playground and children’s sports ground will be created at the southeastern end.
“The focus of the concept is to connect parts of the city, such as the Municipal Garden with the residential area to the west and the park with Aliki bike paths, create multiple access roads to the park, separate pedestrian and car traffic towards the park, and encourage pedestrian traffic from the surrounding area,” said Mr. Vyras.
In addition, the main goal is to protect the area by planting a large number of new trees and shrubs, creating permeable surfaces from puri, honeysuckle and topsoil, limiting hard surfaces to only those necessary for overlapping, limiting the many scattered structures and creating central greenery in natural form.
Listed buildings in the area will also be highlighted by visual and physical consistency with the Alley, the location of the lake and the snack bar.
