The park of Tina’s dreams will be constructed in Faliro

By Marianna Tzanne

Enviroment minister Tina Birbili is starting the second largest coastal front development after Elliniko. While she has not said her last word about the design of this large state asset, she is turning 760 acres of coastline into a park with accompanying sports and recreational uses, from the area of the Peace and Friendship Stadium to the Tae Kwon Do gymnasium, which will become a convention center.

It appears that the seafront is meant to be designed by European architects and not by Greeks, since the plans for Elliniko are being prepared by the Spaniard Jose Asempigio while the developments in Faliro will be the job of the architect Renzo Piano.

The famous Italian has undertaken the reconstruction of the region, which provides for the creation of the National Library and Opera House. The masterplan of Faliro bay, which is sponsored by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, was presented yesterday to the Prime Minister to be approved by next May and adopted in approximately one year via a Presidential Decree.

Combined with the 245-acre site of the old Hippodrome, of which only 32 have been constructed, the area covers a total of 1.000 acres that will be transformed into a park, providing the neighboring municipalities with one of the first large new green spaces.

It wasn’t long ago that Birbili spoke proudly about the revitalization of Faliro bay, which seems to be a very attractive project that "engages" with her vision and planning for the interventions of "Athens 2014 ". According to the Environment ministry, it will create a natural park with amenities, which will be accessible to all citizens and will directly link the city with the sea front.

A pool as continuation of the sea

It is provided that Poseidonos Avenue will shift toward the sea, and will be covered largely by the park. In addition, there is a proposal for the "penetration" of the park into neighboring municipalities with the planting of all available space. The streets will be spreading towards the sea as pedestrian walkways and will reach the waterfront. The park will also include a large sheltered swimming pool with seawater, continuing straight from the sea, using the water element for sports and recreational activities. Also, there is provision for woods, walks, cycle paths, areas for the enjoyment of nature with thematic activities and a diving park.

There will be compatible recreation and sports uses for the maintenance of the park and irrigation will be provided by the reuse of treated effluent from Psittalia. The ministry is preparing the invitation for the funding of the required projects that will include additional water treatment and a network for the distribution of recovered water.

The cost of the program has not yet been assessed, but shall be funded by the Attica PEP, the Green Fund and possibly the JESSICA program.