The revitalisation of the Motława rivulet in Gdansk will not only make this exceptionally valuable area more beautiful. As part of the project, further areas are planned to be included in the park, which will almost quadruple its size. Currently, the Motława Tidal Park covers 11 hectares. However, the City Architect of Gdansk wants to protect the entire Motława Opływu Motława area and add to it the areas on the Olszynka and Orunia-Sw. Wojciecha-Lipiec sides, so that the park will cover as much as 42 hectares.
The Motława Tidal Park – the third largest park in Gdańsk
The area of the Motława Tidal Park is currently 11 hectares. Among other things, it includes an area with characteristic bastions on the Motława River, on the section from Okopowa Street to Elblaska Street, on the Lower Town side. The idea is to make the whole area of the Mottlau river mouth a park. This will ensure that this valuable landscape and environmental area will be protected by law. And the area of the park itself will increase from 11 hectares to 42 hectares, i.e. almost four times.
Firstly, consultations with residents
The city authorities are approaching the subject with great respect for the opinion of the residents themselves. The Office of the City Architect is initiating a so-called participatory process in this matter, which differs from a public consultation in that the City is not imposing a ready-made idea for the place on the residents. On the contrary. The idea is to first gather the opinions of the residents, who, on behalf of themselves and the local wildlife, plants and animals, will present the most urgent needs and indicate the places which, in their opinion, will best fulfil the recreational function.
In other words, it is first necessary to diagnose the current state of affairs with the involvement of local people, and then to plan the place so that it can best serve all its users while protecting its natural and historical heritage.
Revitalising the Motława rivulet from the Gertruda Bastion to the estuary
Discussions with residents will cover the entire area of the planned park, from the Gertruda Bastion to the mouth of the Motława to the Dead Vistula. Similar steps, i.e. getting to know the needs of the residents first – in New Port, Orunia, Biskupia Górka and Lower Town – have been taken in previous years by the Gdansk Development Office, which is responsible for implementing the revitalisation process for several Gdansk districts. Since 2017, the Communal Revitalisation Programme has, moreover, included part of the Motława River drainage area and, within its framework, two bastions, among others, were renovated last year. The idea is that already concrete measures in the entire Motława Tidal area should also be included in this municipal revitalisation programme.
The green area, located on the border of three districts: Śródmieście, Olszynka and Orunia-Św. Wojciecha – Lipiec, covers an area of 42 hectares, including water areas. Once developed, it will become the third largest park in the city, after Regan Park and South Park.
Third largest park in Gdansk
The green area, located on the border of three districts: Śródmieście, Olszynka and Orunia-Św. Wojciecha – Lipiec, has an area of 42 hectares, including water areas. Once developed, it will become the third largest park in the city, after Regan Park and South Park.
Attractions of the Motława Tidal Park
The main attraction of the Motława Opływu Motława is the city’s modern fortifications, which were built in the 17th century according to the designs of the Old Dutch school. The fortress complex consists of bastions connected by earth ramparts, as well as the Motława reservoir and the surrounding greenery reaching to Na Szańcach Street. From the outside, the bastions were surrounded by a zigzag double moat. In the course of time, the outer moat was drained, and the inner moat that was left is today’s Motława outflow.
The site is distinguished by its rich vegetation, which relates to eutrophic water bodies and oxbow lakes. Many species of aquatic and waterside plants can be admired here. Along the banks there are lush communities of ruderal vegetation. Along the banks there are also hawthorn bushes, the oldest of which are remnants of the hawthorn hedges that were once part of the fortifications designed by the Prussian artillery.
Over 90 species of birds, various species of insects, amphibians (including frogs), and a bat habitat in the bastion of St Gertrude have also been identified along the tidal stream, making the area one of the most valuable natural habitats in Gdansk.
source: UM Gdańsk / Kamila Grzenkowska / www.gdansk.pl
photos: UM Gdańsk / Dominik Paszlinski, Piotr Wittman, Office of the City Architect / www.gdansk.pl
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