‘Pocket Park’ Opens in Athens’ Kolonos District

The Municipality of Athens recently opened its second “pocket park”, a small green area in the heart of Kolonos district.

Pocket parks are urban open spaces on a small-scale which have the potential to provide relief from the city and contribute positively to the urban microclimate. Scientists from all over the world are promoting pocket parks as an effective way to protect the environment, as well as to mitigate isolation in densely populated areas and prevent crime.

Athens’ first pocket park was created in the district of Kypseli.

According to an announcement by the municipality, the second pocket park in Kolonos is one of the small oases of greenery created in the Greek capital.

Located at the junction of Kilkis and Alamanas streets, the park is considered unique due to its appearance and the materials used for its development, such as environmentally friendly concrete to construct the ground surface and sidewalk. Recycled wood was used for the seating areas and deciduous trees have been planted. An underground irrigation system is used for watering the plants.

Moreover, an advanced technology photovoltaic system has been used for the park’s lighting. It features a digital panel with information on temperature, humidity and other environmental parameters.

Athens Mayor Kostas Bakoyannis

Following the opening of the new pocket park, Athens Mayor Kostas Bakoyannis stressed the significance of such parks for the city.

“There are many ways to reactivate the neighborhood community. Pocket parks are one such essential solution. They breath life into areas where debris, darkness and delinquency once stood… It is also important that pocket parks are created at no cost for taxpayers, as they mobilize the private sector to participate in such actions with social responsibility,” he said.

Athens’ first two pocket parks were created with the support of companies that participate in the municipality’s “Adopt your city” program that launched in the summer of 2019 aiming to involve residents, private and public sector companies and organizations in actions planned for the improvement of life in the capital.

Kolonos’ pocket park was developed with the support of Heracles Group, a leading cement producer in Greece.