In Vilnius, right next to the Western bypass, Girulių st. 23 arranged a new public space. It has a lighted walking path with the opportunity to sit down and admire the views, an apple orchard, and a sports field. The installation of the square cost the Vilnius City Municipality 115 thousand. Eur.
"Even in 2021 Vilnius city municipality, "ID Vilnius" and local residents began to prepare development scenarios and a design program for four green areas in Perkūnkiemi. For several years, meetings, surveys, creative workshops were held, scenarios for the development of those territories were prepared. Now these plans are already turning into reality and we can see the results of the work", he said Vilnius city municipalities head of the landscape architecture subsection Akvilė Myško-Žvinienė.
Giruliu str. Public space 23 is one of the four spaces examined at that time. Until then, the territory of about 30 acres belonged to a private owner and was not adapted for residents.
Every detail of this project was discussed with the local community. According to the wishes of the residents, larger apple trees were planted and the garden was expanded, the edge of Girulių street was planted with a forest. A walking path has been installed while organizing the space. The slope oriented in the southeast direction was used to build three terraces of the amphitheater. The area of active activity is diversified with boulders excavated during maintenance.
The activity zone is equipped with additional sports events, benches with backrests and trash cans are built on the territory.
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"I am very happy with the changing Perkunkiemi. Želdinii square, which is called by the community, has already been liked by the residents. It is especially popular with mothers with newborn babies who want a quiet respite in nature. We notice that people who do sports also visit here, train at the sports facilities. Residents like to walk in the square with their pets," says Vilma Čekauskaitė, head of the Public Enterprise "Perkūnkiemių kommunasų".
UAB "Stebulė" together with the community planted 11 large apple trees in this area last fall. Younger trees were selected for planting in the forest area. 41 birches, 41 alders, 27 elms, 54 maples, 54 rowan trees, 54 yews were planted. In total, the territory was filled with 282 trees.
Greenery is diversified with bushes. Almost a thousand bushes were planted: 247 hazelnuts, 197 European gorse, 296 common snowdrops and 247 single-petaled hawthorns.
According to the specialists who prepared the greenery schemes, dense planting will allow the rapid formation of an ecosystem characteristic of a natural forest habitat. Native pioneer fast-growing species naturally occupying similar types of open spaces were selected.
Part of the territory is left as meadow. A mixture of wild meadow seeds typical of the Lithuanian climate was sown here, so this year already a great Lithuanian meadow will bloom here. In a few seasons, natural habitats for insects, birds, and small animals should be formed.
The name for this place will be chosen by the community. The Historical Memory Commission of the City of Vilnius will consider the presented options and submit them to the Vilnius City Council for approval.
Perkunkiemis, known for its lack of public spaces, is changing rapidly. The new Perkūnas Square was opened last year, and several more public spaces are planned to be renovated: at Girulių st. 5 houses and a square at Perkūnkiemio st. 22., Pavilnionių st. and Leičių st. intersection.
