THE National Gardenone of the most beautiful landmarks for Athens and its inhabitants, regains its lost glamor. The municipal authority of Athens, implementing a strategic plan that includes the complete upgrade of the historic Garden of the city, with a total area of 154 acres, delivers to the Athenians the first complete section, on the north side, between Amalia and Vasilissis Sofias Avenues.
From today, Residents and visitors of the city can walk in the landscaped areas of the Gardento sit on benches or read a book under the shadows of trees, to jog, to play with their children.
The largest program for the restoration of the Garden infrastructure is in progress
With respect to the historicity of the area, which counts 186 years since its demarcation, and based on the principles of durability, the paths and corridors were reconstructed. For this purpose, a stabilized earthen floor was used, in order to repair the significant damage that had occurred from time and erosion.
The work plan of the Municipality of Athens also includes: the replacement of the old Garden irrigation system with new, modern technology. It is worth noting that the irrigation system remained almost the same from the middle of the 19th century, when the National Garden was created.
Equally important intervention is the upgrade of the electric lighting network with new technology luminaires. The characteristic lights of the Garden were preserved, while they were replaced only in the places where it was deemed necessary.
Based on the design, in the coming weeks, the services of the Municipality will install modern lighting fixtures, as well as a signage system using signs – maps.
The benches, maintaining their historical character and fully harmonized with the environment, were upgraded in order to welcome the young and old visitors of the Garden. The last stage of the works envisages the maintenance of the lakes, the entrance outpost, the completion of the urban equipment, with the installation of metal garbage bins, as well as the installation of lawn.
New plantings – care for rare trees
Special care was given by a team of specialized scientists at rare garden trees. These are historic trees, some of which, in fact, are over 170 years old. Separate interventions were made in 16 of these trees, while an evaluation of the static adequacy of the older trees was carried out.
At the same time, emphasis was placed to enrich the emblematic Garden with new trees and plants, in order to enhance the biodiversity of the National Garden, but also the green of the city. Overall, they were done 11,155 plantationswhich include 112 new trees, 331 shrubs, 2,343 additional shrubs, 3,582 perennials, 4,775 seasonal and 12 climbing.
“THE National Garden is one of the most emblematic places of the capital, a meeting place, which has hosted generations and generations of Athenians. This urban green lung, the largest in the center of Athens, could no longer be neglected. From the first moment, we gave priority to its complete restoration, with the aim of creating a welcoming space for the residents and visitors of the city. With the new, modern infrastructure that completely reshapes its image, with the planting of hundreds of trees and plants, but also with all the interventions made based on the sustainability of the historic site, we ensure that the National Garden will remain for many more years in epicenter of Athenian life, offering the next generations the precious “well-being”“, States in a statement, the Mayor of Athens, Costas Bakogiannis.
The works are transferred to the rest of the Garden, as, according to the plan, the project is performed in parts, so that the space remains open in each phase of the work.
The project has total budget of EUR 4.2 million, an amount secured by European funds (NSRF). Upon completion, the National Garden will have been upgraded to its full extent.
The work program includes renovation and restoration of historic buildings, maintenance of historic marble and stone elements, reconstruction of playground, restoration of fencing, reconstruction of all pedestrian walkways, repair-maintenance of lakes and wooden bridge, but also the construction of a new metal fence in the zoological collection.
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