Riga’s Victory park will undergo a makeover in the location where the Soviet Victory Monument once stood. Authorities plan to provide residents various sports and leisure options, as confirmed by Riga City Council on Wednesday, the 5th of April.
The cost of reconstruction work in the part is estimated at EUR 6 million.
“When Riga City Council decided to demolish the Monument to the Liberators of Soviet Latvia and Riga from the German Fascist Invaders in Victory Park, there were many different opinions what should take the monument’s place,” explained deputy chairman of Riga City Council Edgars Ratnieks, adding that most residents suggested establishing a leisure park where the monument stood.
‘It is clear the area needs rest after the monument’s demolition. It should become a place open to all residents of Riga.
Victory Park was named that in honour of the victory over Bermont-Avalov forces a hundred years ago. During Latvia’s first independence the park hosted military parades and various events,’ said Ratnieks.
He explains that Riga City Council “plans to return to this concept and continue strengthening the park’s historic importance, while continuing developing it as a recreational zone for residents”. There have been proposals to build a stadium or a concert hall where the monument stood. A survey by SKDS showed that 64% of residents support the idea of restoring the park.
Reconstruction of the park is planned to take two stages – in the first one it is planned to work on the park’s landscape portion of 9 ha, install more than 100 new benches, install a children’s playground and plant 1 500 trees, bushes and other plants.
The landscape portion of the part is planned to be completed by the 11th of November 2023.
New pedestrian and cycling walkways with a total distance of 9 100 m2 are planned to be established as well. A unique skateboard track is planned to be established as well, as well as 1 km-long skiing and skating track.
Riga City Council notes that the second stage of the park’s reconstruction is planned for next year. Active leisure zone closer to Hermaņa Street are planned to be established. Aside from various sports-related areas, it is planned to establish a concrete basin for skateboarders. A children’s water activities area is planned as well.
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