Madonna tal-Vitorja Garden in Pembroke has been inaugurated, transforming a 2,250-square-metre open space from a tarmacked area into an accessible, green garden in the heart of a residential neighbourhood. The garden was inaugurated by the Minister for the Environment, Energy and Public Cleanliness Miriam Dalli, together with the Project Green team and Pembroke Mayor Kaylon Zammit.
This project is a clear example of how urban spaces that are not being used to their full potential can be transformed into places for relaxation, recreation, and a better quality of life for residents. An area that was previously covered in tarmac and had ended up being used for waste dumping has now become an open, green and equipped garden for the community to enjoy.
“What we are seeing today is the result of a clear vision: to bring green spaces closer to people. Madonna tal-Vitorja Garden shows how even urban spaces can make a major difference in residents’ everyday lives, in the same way that larger parks on the outskirts of our localities do. Today, Pembroke residents have a space where they can rest, walk, meet and spend some quiet time, instead of an abandoned tarmacked area,” said Minister Dalli.
A number of interventions were carried out in the garden to make the space safer, more accessible and more functional. These include new paving, the use of an existing reservoir to irrigate the trees and shrubs, the installation of benches, fencing and a solar lighting system, as well as the creation of new pathways.
Sustainability was at the heart of this project. Invasive plants were removed, while the existing soil on site was temporarily excavated and reused within the same project. Structural works were also carried out, including the construction of walls using recycled stone blocks and surface compaction works.
As part of the area’s transformation, Project Green also addressed parking-related needs. While asphalt was removed to create the garden, separate works were carried out to formalise car parking spaces in the vicinity.
At Madonna tal-Vitorja Garden, 67 trees were planted, including a carob tree around six metres high and weighing approximately 4,000 kilograms, which stands at the centre of the project. Around 655 shrubs were also planted, further strengthening the garden as a natural and attractive space for the community.
The project was completed and inaugurated within six months, through joint work between Project Green, the Pembroke Local Council and the contractors involved.
A space next to the garden that had been dedicated to cats was retained and also embellished following public consultation with residents. This shows how the project was designed with attention to the community’s needs and the existing use of the area.
Liana Saliba Gazzano, Head of Implementation at Project Green, said: “Through joint work with the Pembroke Local Council, today we are delivering a new open space in the heart of the community. This is a project that was carried out in consultation with residents and with respect for their needs. I therefore encourage residents to make use of this garden and enjoy it as a space that was truly created by the people, for the people.”
Pembroke Mayor Kaylon Zammit said, “Thanks to the strong collaboration between the Pembroke Local Council and Project Green, we have completed the second project involving investment in an open space for families to enjoy. An area that was previously concrete and tarmac has now been transformed into a green space equipped with everything one would expect in order to spend some relaxing time with friends and relatives. We are determined that, in the coming period, the Council will continue to invest in its residents through projects like these, including the embellishment of the picnic area and dog park in the locality.”
Photos: MEEC
