The residents of Birżebbuġa and its surroundings will begin to enjoy an open space of 17,000 square meters, as soon as the first phase of the project has been completed which led to the opening of the Family Park in Bengħājsa.
Through this picnic area, we are giving the public another space where they can recreate among 4,000 trees. The first phase of the project in Bengħaisa is offering a picnic area the size of two football pitches. This Family Park is the third green space that is being opened this year by the Ministry for the Environment, after the opening of the Dog Park in Ta’ Qali and the extension of the Park in San Klement in Żabbar.
This was announced during a visit to the park by the Minister for the Environment Miriam Dalli and the CEO of Project Green Steve Ellul. It was explained how the picnic area is equipped with benches made of sustainable material. During the passage, signs were installed with information related to the different types of trees and shrubs that are in the park and their characteristics. For the children’s enjoyment, obstacle game structures were also installed. Project Green will be responsible for maintaining this park.
In total around 4,000 trees were planted by various entities including Infrastructure Malta and Ambjent Malta. 1,800 trees were planted as part of the initiative with Puttinu Cares where for every donation of €300 or more from the public to Puttinu, a tree or shrub was planted.
“The investments we are making in the south of our country are bearing fruit, and today it is gratifying that we are opening to the public this Family Park in Bengħajs, an area that had been considered in the past for landfill development or as an extension to a commercial project. Instead, the residents of Birżebbuġa will be enjoying one of the largest parks in the south of Malta. I also encourage the public to come and enjoy this green space,” said Minister Miriam Dalli.
Minister Dalli welcomed the agreement that was signed with the Malta Girl Guides to also have space in this park for their activities. CEO Steve Ellul explained how Project Green is adapting the open spaces for the community, also with a view to being enjoyed by everyone, including those who use a wheelchair. Therefore, the picnic benches have been adapted so that people in wheelchairs also have space at the table. He stressed that the agreement that was signed with the Malta Girl Guides, which works mainly with children and young people, will continue to assist this organization in its activities so that the children have a safe space to learn.
“These are the results of working with the community where we heard and now we are carrying it out,” stressed Mr. Ellul. The opening hours of the Family Park in Bengħaisa are from 6:30am to 9:00pm between April to September and from 6:30am to 7:00pm between October to March.
Photos: DOI, MEEE
