Lucky girl I am, living close to a soon-to-be-opened new public park. Make that a very near the city centre urban park. That does not happen every day these days. Building apartments or commercial spaces would be a lot more profitable I’m sure. This park, however, is being constructed according to the wishes of the general public. The grand city of Gothenburg, Sweden has turned 400. Years, that is. In connection with this event, the local authority asked the public what they wanted, and the answer was a new park. With a swimming pool attached. Amazingly, the city agreed. Jubileumsparken – make an entrance!
The pool actually came first, together with an odd-looking sauna, that some reckon could be ugliest building in town. I happen to think it’s quite funky. In the last 18 months or so, the new green space has been laid out. And next summer, hold on tight, there will be no less than four pools for the general public to enjoy. It feels like a religious moment.
Having said that. The new park is located in an area which used to be a free port. This HUGE waterfront area has been unused for years. The local authority is just not really getting anywhere with the development. So the new park has an ulterior motive. Make people flock to the new park, make them see the value of this area, make them understand and want to live in this area. You get my drift.
But I’m happy. Once the fencing is gone and access is free, I think this will be a hit. And I think a good job has been done making it look so established when just recently planted. This is not least due to the trees. Matures trees that had to be moved due to some other major infrastructure programme were transplanted here. The trees make all the difference. And perhaps what you can call a kind of circular economy. I will keep you posted on further developments. The park will officially open on 26 August, 2022.
