Larnaca’s Pattichio Park was officially inaugurated on Wednesday afternoon, after opening to the public in August following a 5.3 million euro project that drew strong objections from members of the public.
The agriculture minister and the mayor of Larnaca performed the inauguration, attended by the AKEL general secretary, the DIKO president, parliament members and city officials.
The works, which began in October 2023, were co-funded by the EU under the THALEIA 2021-2027 Cohesion Policy Programme. Members of the public objected to the scale of the work in an area that is part of the Natura 2000 network and borders the protected Salt Lake wetland.
The project includes a large raised footbridge, viewing points, leisure areas, a playground, a botanical park and walking and cycling paths. A picnic area, a small lake with a bridge, a dog park and an outdoor gym have also been built, and a large restaurant is due to open soon. According to Larnaca municipality, the park is accessible to pedestrians, cyclists and people with disabilities.
Since opening, the footbridge and viewing points have drawn hundreds of people, mainly in the afternoons. Images of the sunset and of the Salt Lake from above have been widely shared online, and many newlyweds choose the park for their wedding photographs.
