Prague 5’s Park Motolka to Offer New Natural Playgrounds and Picnic Areas After Revitalization

Patrik Pašek

The revitalization of Park Motolka in Prague 5 has been announced, offering new natural playgrounds for children, picnic areas with a view, and a café. The study, part of the overall transformation of Motol Valley, was presented to the public by the landscape architecture studio Terra Florida and served as a basis for further collaboration between the city and the fifth municipality. The park is a significant part of Motol Valley and connects to other natural areas, making it one of the most critical places for residents. Its location along the stream, with ponds and a connection to Cibulka Park, is also noteworthy.

The study aims to be sensitive to the location’s identity and possible use of the local park. The park currently lacks places for leisure activities, which will be created through the planned revitalization. The park will feature small natural playgrounds for children, picnic areas with a view of Poštovka Hill, and a café in the western part. The café will separate a busy intersection from the peaceful area around the ponds. The study’s authors have tried to approach the site sensitively concerning its identity and possible use of the local park.

The city mainly owns the park

In collaboration with the Institute of Planning and Development and the Environmental Protection Department of the City Hall, the city will strive for its gradual revitalization. Radek Janoušek, deputy mayor of Prague 5, has informed the public of this collaboration.

The study proposes creating a new story for the park in the form of a path that passes through the park along the stream, which the authors try to make visible through a series of approaches to the water and by reviving the shores of the stream and ponds. The stream is a crucial element of Motol Valley but is rarely a visible part of it, with most of its flow currently underground. The proposal includes creating a natural channel for the Motol Stream and new ponds. The first pond will serve as a bird nesting place, which can be observed from an observation point. The eastern part will be dedicated to a balance bike track and more water areas with seating by the stream.

Valuable vegetation will be preserved, and new biotopes will be created. These biotopes will attract more animal species and restore wet meadows, shore vegetation, and park edges. The landscape architecture studio Terra Florida has studied Park Motolka excellently. They have found a friendly design solution for Motol Valley’s stream, a significant valley element. However, they still need to consider the possible risks of the nearby Motol landfill, according to Milan Vrkoč, City Councilor for Environmental Protection and Public Space.

The study is accessible to the public until September 15th, every weekday from 10 am to 6 pm, at the Atelier Planning and Development of Prague 5 in Štefánikova Street. Admission is free.

The revitalization of Park Motolka is part of a more significant effort to create green spaces in Prague. Central Park in Prague 13, surrounded by apartment buildings, has also been transformed into a place of tranquility for the residents of the surrounding housing estates. The park offers a large green area for relaxation, and new biotopes have been created to attract more animal species. The park’s eastern part is dedicated to a balance bike track and more water areas with seating by the stream.