Autumn rainy 2023 October 5 in the evening, residents gathered in the Karoliniškii borough, where a creative workshop was held to discuss possible changes in Pasakų Park. The workshop was attended by 15 interested visitors to the park, folk artist Vladimiras Šiškovas, the author of the sculpture "The Old Sage" in Fairytale Park, sculptor Aušra Jasiukevičiūtė, Vilnius city municipalities, representatives of VšĮ "Vilniaus miesto parkų" and UAB "Vilniaus planas".
The workshop started with a walk in the park with Raimonds Eremins, forester of VšĮ "Vilniaus miesto parkai". After the walk, the discussions continued in the Karoliniškii precinct. Summarizing the results of the workshop, 5 conclusions were highlighted:
- The park is a recreational space frequented by local senior citizens. For some elderly people living nearby who do not have the means or health to travel, Pasakų Park is the main recreation space in the city. At the same time, the park lacks infrastructure for children's games. When preparing the management scenario, it is possible to find ways to respond and creatively combine the needs of these two groups - seniors' leisure time and children's games;
- Workshop participants agree that broken wooden sculptures should be removed, and sculptures in satisfactory condition should be preserved. It would also be possible to supplement the surviving sculptures with information boards with their authors and names. At the same time, it is proposed to supplement the park with new sculptures that would continue the theme of the fairy-tale park and would be made of natural materials (wood, stone, etc.);
- In response to the planned residential areas in the northwestern part of the park, it is proposed to ensure that the western part also has enough functional areas - recreation and children's playgrounds - during the renovation of the park. Currently, most facilities are located in the northeastern part of the park. The western part of the park already lacks trash cans, benches, and lighting;
- According to the survey, the most missing infrastructure in the park for residents is: better lighting, toilets and drinking water stations;
- When designing a park scenario based on established pedestrian connections, it is important to form missing connections and lighting. For example, to install at least one access to the park from the Lazdynai side suitable for residents with disabilities and parents with strollers. It is also important to fundamentally renew the existing wooden stairs in the park. The system of park paths could be supplemented by introducing a system of orientation-informational signs.
Further steps
in 2023 in the months of November-December, based on the analysis of the current situation of the Fairytale Park and the results of the creative workshop, VšĮ "Vilniaus miesto parkai" is preparing a possible scenario and action plan for the improvement of the Fairytale Park.
