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Athens is Getting More Green Spaces, Welcomes Another Pocket Park
Posted On 27 Oct 2021
The Municipality of Athens recently unveiled another pocket park as part of efforts to create more green spaces in the Greek capital and improve the quality of life of its residents and visitors.
The new green space in located the neighborhood of Patisia ( Vizyinou and Karkavitsa streets) and is the eighth addition to the municipality’s network of pocket parks that aims to turn Athens’ abandoned areas into lively colorful spots.
The small park in Patisia before its makeover.
The new bioclimatic park covers an area of 230sqm and includes an environment-friendly system for the better usage of rainwater, seating areas, trees and 358 new shrubs consisting of Mediterranean plants and colorful perennial flowers.
The pocket park also features exercise equipment (climbing frame) and solar panels that enhance the area’s lighting.
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Students of the nearby 142nd Athens Elementary School participated in the initiative by planting the park’s first plants.
“Our city is being upgraded through small but meaningful interventions. The new pocket park in Patisia calls on all residents to creatively use this modern safe green area,” Athens Mayor Kostas Bakoyannis said.
The municipality aims to operate 10 pocket parks by the end of the year.
I have seen hundreds of old homes in the lower income areas around Acharnon st. I don’t believe the Greek government is planning to renovate them so why not focus on these areas, tear down a substantial amount over a period of time and put pocket parks there. I see very little done on the side streets connected to Acharnon an around Attiki train station. I believe the lower income areas housing immigrants and poor Greeks is being neglected. I have spoken about this before. The streets in that area are filthy, dumpsters filled for days without being emptied. The area has a putrid smell constantly. The Attiki train and bus station are overrun by drug addicts who urinate and defacate in corners. I never see any powerwashing service come by and clean these areas. They should be powerwashed at least once a month. As far as the drug addicts just having police chase them away is not the answer or solution for this problem. Athens government needs to stop turning their backs on these areas and start addressing these issues that as far as I see have gone on for more than one year. Near Omonia the other day I fell into a hole from a rotted metal grate on the sidewalk. Luckily I did not break my leg, but scarred up and bled. I returned to that spot once a week and it still wasn’t addressed until today. That is one month since I fell through this grate. Now I am very careful where I walk and have noticed dozens of the metal covers rotting away just waiting for an accident to happen. Athens is not just the wealthy areas, Syntagma and Monastirki. Take care of the lower class people. Many have small businesses and work hard. They pay taxes too!