A unique square has sprung up on the site of a former parking lot at Jaracza and Kilińskiego Streets in Lodz. Like other cities in Poland, Lodz is also introducing pocket parks.
The form of pocket park is conquering more cities in Poland. In addition to Wroclaw, Krakow, Gdynia or the smaller, but no less interesting Pleszew, Lodz is also creating new pocket parks. The simple form of such a park allows greening even in difficult conditions.
The Lodz development was located in the city center at the corner of Jaracz and Kilińskiego streets. Previously there was a parking lot here, which was removed in favor of a square bearing the name of Alina Margolis-Edelman, a participant in the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, a doctor and social activist who was directly connected with Lodz.
The square at Kilińskiego and Jaracza streets
photo: Pawel Lacheta, © City Hall of Lodz
new square instead of old parking lot
The place was mainly lacking adequate infrastructure, new benches were introduced, as well as a playground. A public restroom adapted to the needs of people with disabilities was also created. Wi-Fi was also installed in the park itself. In addition, new trees were planted alongside old ones, and perennials, shrubs and ornamental grasses were introduced. The investment received EU funding.
Here in the inner city, in the midst of dense development, we make sure that there is no shortage of attractive places to relax and play. The first Lodz pocket parks were created in Stare Polesie, and others in Bałuty. The newest pocket park in the center is a square at the intersection of Jaracza and Kilińskiego streets. It has 900 square meters and is surrounded by a stylish fence. We planted a lot of greenery here, 14 trees, including maples and magnolias, nearly a hundred shrubs and three thousand ornamental grasses. In the pocket park, in its quiet recreation area, benches have been set up. A separate space within the square is a safe playground for the youngest children. Bicycle racks have also been installed," points out Hanna Zdanowska, mayor of Lodz.
The square at Kilińskiego and Jaracza streets
Photo: Pawel Lacheta, © City Hall of Lodz
Lodz looking for change
The processes of change are part of Lodz's broad revitalization policy. This year construction work began on the Old Market Square, where greenery is to return. The formerly concrete-lined Schiller Passage is to become a space with room for art and new greenery. Henryka Dabrowskiego Square, which has been haunting for a decade, is also to be greened, although here there have been objections to the tender, pointing out that the city should rely on a competition. Attempts to introduce green ivy walls are also hard to forget. Lodz also hosted this year the Congress on Climate Regeneration of Cities, where the way forward for the transformation of Polish urban centers was discussed.
before the changes
Photo: Pawel Lacheta, © City of Lodz Office
However, this does not change the fact that Łódź still faces many problems resulting from the change in its economic profile away from its industrial character, as Professor Jerzy Hausner discussed in the pages of Architektura&Biznes monthly. In the same issue of A&B, Katarzyna Jagodzinska talks to the mayor of Lodz, Hanna Zdanowska, about the changes and contrasts we can see in Lodz.
The square at Kilińskiego and Jaracza streets
Photo: Pawel Lacheta, © City Hall of Lodz
