#08 Green lungs of Siewierz

Siewierz is one of the oldest towns in the region. It attracts tourists with picturesque ruins of the bishop's castle. Over the years, however, the area has lacked well-organized green spaces. The city park was badly vandalized and neglected. We wanted to change this and at the same time protect the biodiversity of the Przemsza and Brynica river valleys. We invited residents to discuss the future of the park. We wanted them to have an impact on the place, which will serve their recreation and leisure. Only when the concept was ready, we applied for EU funding. Thanks to the grant, on a previously unused area we created an attractive space using the natural advantages of a park picturesquely located on the Przemsza River. As part of the revitalization works, walking and cycling paths, an outdoor gym and a playground for children were created. We also added elements of small architecture and modern lighting. The asset of the park is the open-air Ecological Education Center, where residents of all ages can learn about the local nature on specially prepared information boards. Educational outdoor games await the youngest, introducing them to the extraordinary world of flora and fauna. We also did our best to protect local natural habitats. For this purpose we have created a special ecological site. Today, the park in Siewierz is the town's genuine landmark. It is bustling with life regardless of the season. It is a place for walks and recreation for whole families. At the Ecological Education Center in the designated area you can light a bonfire and have a picnic. The park hosts outdoor biology lessons. Members of the University of the Third Age also meet here for lectures. In winter, the youngest can have fun sledding down the artificial hills.

Revitalization of the city park has been widely appreciated not only by the residents but also by the jury The Best Public Space in the Silesian Voivodeship 2020 competition, which awarded the park with honourable mentions in the "public space" category.

For years the city park was a wild forest, without any infrastructure, so hardly anyone used it. Fortunately, that has changed. Thanks to revitalization works we finally have a real park. I'm glad that the environmental intrusion was minimal, just enough to create a welcoming environment for residents. As a result, the unique qualities of the local nature with forest cover, vegetation and animals have been preserved. From a biological standpoint, these are really beautiful green spaces.

I often walk in the park with mu husband. Quiet forest corners and the banks of the Przemsza river are an ideal place to relax away from the hustle and bustle of the city. I also take my students here. Since I teach biology in elementary school, the park is a perfect space for me to teach outdoor lessons. Here, children learn to identify trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants and learn about basic biology. The Outdoor Ecological Education Centre, in turn, allows me to conduct interesting workshops. I can make use of perfectly designed information boards as well. There are also a lot of educational games, and as we know, the best results come from learning through play.

The revitalization of the park has significantly increased the attractiveness of the city. Tourists come here not only to visit the castle, but also to spend time actively in the park. A gym, a playground, a place where you can conduct acoustic experiments, well-prepared bike paths – you really can't get bored here. I think that many larger towns could envy us such a well organized space.

As we face a smog problem in the city, the heavily wooded park offsets the negative effects of air pollution to some extent. They are our green lungs, providing lots of life-giving oxygen. And on hot days, the perfect place to shelter from the heat. My dream is that the area of the park will expand even more, of course while maintaining its unique qualities, because man in the world of nature is just a guest.