New open-air sports and leisure park in Székesfehérvár, Hungary

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Anyone who goes to the park can see that families, children and adults, both old and young, are coming every day to relax and play sports. That is why this new development is especially important now.András Cser-Palkovics, Mayor of SzékesfehérvárAmenities at the park include a 15x28 m asphalt basketball court and a 20x40 m football pitch with artificial turf, both of which are floodlit, as well as a 280 m-long, 1.5 m-wide polyurethane running track and two table tennis tables.An outdoor gym is fitted with five rehabilitation devices for people with mobility problems and around 20 pieces of regular exercise equipment for walking, rowing, weight-lifting and climbing. Play areas for children have swings, slides, seesaws, climbing frames, sandpits, roundabouts and a zip wire.Visitor safety and comfortA 45 m² block with men's, women’s and disabled toilets has been built. To serve it, water supply and sewerage pipes totalling 142 m and 136 m in length respectively have been laid. For security purposes, a closed-circuit television surveillance system with 10 cameras has been set up and public lighting has been upgraded, both in the park and along the footpath and nearby streets.Furthermore, benches have been placed, turf has been laid and greenery planted across the site. The park is now home to more than 80 saplings of varieties such as alder, oak, maple and red horse-chestnut, all of which are likely to thrive in the climate of Székesfehérvár. More than 4 000 bushes and shrubs, including spiraea, lilac, honeysuckle and cinquefoil, and a cherry laurel hedge have been planted.Promoting active, healthy lifestylesCreation of public spaces and infrastructure as part of an attractive urban environment is a priority for Székesfehérvár’s municipal authorities. The main objective of the project was to establish a green communal space and sports facilities for local residents to ensure cleaner air and promote physically active and environmentally conscious lifestyles.This was done with a view to improving public health, including among older people. Another aim was the preservation and protection of local natural heritage through the planting of indigenous trees and plants.An additional element of the project entailed the organisation of environmental awareness and crime prevention programmes. For crime prevention, a self-defence course was held and a mobile exhibition was set up. Activities related to environmental protection and awareness focused mainly on the importance of saving water and energy, and global environmental problems.Total investment and EU fundingTotal investment for the project “Creating a leisure park and promenade along Túrózsáki út” is EUR 970 442 (HUF 300 088 170), with the EU’s European Regional Development Fund contributing EUR 970 442 through the “Territorial and Settlement Development” Operational Programme for the 2014-2020 programming period. The investment falls under the priority “development of green urban areas and small-scale environmental protection infrastructure”.