The Municipality of Larnaca clarifies decisions regarding the Pattichion Park in Larnaca, stating in a press release that on February 22, 2024, in an open informative meeting at the Multipurpose Social Welfare and Employment Center, it presented and discussed the implementation parameters of the project “Reconfiguration of the area of Pattichion Park in Larnaca”.
During this meeting, suggestions from citizens were taken into account and presented to the Municipal Council in an open session held on February 26, 2024.
During the Municipal Council session on February 26, 2024, as noted by the Chief Environmental Officer, Elena Stylianopoulou, the opinions of the Environmental Department regarding the project were presented.
“Specifically, it is highlighted that overall interventions will cover approximately 7% of the park’s area and 0.09% of the total area of the protected area. The project’s design took into account the recommendations of the relevant authorities (Environmental Department and Game and Fauna Service) for managing the protected area, in order to limit the impacts on the protected area.”
Furthermore, the announcement indicates that an impact assessment was conducted in the protected area, and the Impact Assessment Pre-Approval Report based on Article 16 of Law 153(I)/2003 was issued by the Environmental Department in January 2022.
“The report concluded that the project will not have any impacts on the protected area, due to the redesign and reconfiguration carried out based on the recommendations of the relevant authorities for managing the protected area. It is noted that the area of the Pattichion Park serves as a buffer zone between the core of the protected area and the urban fabric, to reduce disturbances from human presence and activities in the area, and none of the protected area’s objects are located within it.”
It is further noted that “strict conditions will be imposed on the operation of the proposed catering area, which aims to serve park visitors without burdening the surrounding environment, while operating hours will be strictly observed as per the Environmental Department’s recommendation, with lighting to be turned off at 19:00 in winter and 21:00 in summer. The catering area will be allocated through a public tender.”
The Municipal Council, as added, considering anew the opinions of the Environmental Department as recorded in the letter dated 26/02/2024, unanimously decided to adopt the five recommendations of the Department as follows:
a) suspend work until directives from the Game and Fauna Service are received regarding the scope of permissible work until June, which will not affect the area’s fauna;
b) ensure that no tree, except acacias, is cut down, to limit interventions in the park; additionally, 500 new trees and 4,500 shrubs will be planted within the project area; c) use permeable materials for all sidewalks and parking areas;
d) reevaluate the pedestrian bridge design to limit its height to a maximum of 5 meters; and
e) submit a progress report to the Environmental Department every quarter regarding the project’s implementation. Furthermore, the Municipal Council “decided not to proceed with the construction of a skatepark in the park and to modify the parking area on Artemidos Avenue to ensure that no trees are cut down.
It is further confirmed that “the project does not include and will not promote the implementation of other parking areas and sports facilities.”
Priority of the Municipality of Larnaca, it is noted in conclusion, “has always been and will remain the protection of the environment while simultaneously implementing a project for the upgrade of the park and the surrounding area of the Pattichion Amphitheatre, offering the residents of Larnaca an escape to nature from demanding urban rhythms.”
