An EU-funded project has redeveloped the previously disused and overgrown area around Służewiecki pond, in Warsaw’s Mokotów district, to create a 5.11-hectare recreational park for the inhabitants of Poland’s capital city. In its first stage, the project oversaw the restoration of the pond’s original water retention function, which entailed making the basin deeper. This has given the pond a retention capacity of 14 000 m³.
New park created around Warsaw’s Służewiecki pond
- 08 August 2019
Thanks to the creation of the new park, which replaced a previously undeveloped and littered area, Warsaw residents have gained a freely accessible place for recreation and leisure and high-quality green infrastructure, which has undoubtedly had a positive impact on their quality of life.
Along with the restoration of the water retention function, a viewing platform in the form of a pier was erected and a footbridge over the Służewiecki stream, which flows into the pond, was built close to the dam. To provide a habitat for waterfowl, three artificial islands with aquatic vegetation were constructed in the pond.
Creation of the park involved banking up earth into observation mounds, laying footpaths to ensure easy access for people with disabilities and parents with prams, and installing outdoor exercise equipment, lighting and furniture such as benches.
Further features include an illuminated floating fountain on the pond and aquatic plants along its shoreline. Trees, shrubs, ground cover plants and perennials were planted, and a themed garden for perennials was opened.
Stopping degradation of green space
Prior to implementing the project, the pond basin was not filled with water but was overgrown with vegetation of little environmental value, mainly reeds. In the immediate vicinity were numerous clusters of trees and shrubs. The site had become known as an unstructured area.
Key aims of the work included stopping both the gradual degradation of existing green space and the development in Warsaw of an urban heat island. This occurs when human activity causes a city to become significantly warmer than the surrounding countryside. Other objectives were limiting levels of traffic noise and helping to mitigate negative effects of climate change, particularly by reducing the risk of flooding through the provision of additional water retention capacity.
A more attractive cityscape
As well as achieving all these aims, the project improved the quality and attractiveness of the urban landscape. The viewing platform for observation of birdlife is a distinguishing feature of the park. It has boosted Warsaw’s biodiversity and increased the amount of green space in the city by 4.61 hectares, which should prove beneficial for the sustainable development of the Polish capital.
Finally, by capitalising on the potential of the land around Służewiecki pond as a place for recreation and leisure, the project has had a positive impact on residents’ quality of life.
Total investment and EU funding
Total investment for the project “Creation of a park around the Służewiecki pond that also restores the pond’s water retention role” is EUR 2 200 000 (PLN 9 400 532) with the EU’s Cohesion Fund contributing EUR 1 470 000 (PLN 6 286 449) through the “Infrastructure and Environment” Operational Programme for the 2014-2020 programming period. The investment falls under the priority “Climate change and risk prevention”.