The Municipality of Athens has created a wide network of sports facilities and playgrounds at all municipal districts. In addition to the creation of new spaces, the Municipal Authority aims at quality upgrading, effective maintenance and proper utilization of existing spaces that in some cases sustain significant shortcomings. The “adoption” of sports facilities and playgrounds can have a direct and significant impact, as these spaces can be upgraded and delivered in a short time ready for use by young and old residents and visitors of Athens.
Konistra Petralona
Following ten years of abandonment and decline, the valuable Konistra park in Petralona becomes part of the Athenians’ life again. The first step for the reconstruction of the park is the operational and aesthetical upgrade of two basketball courts and one tennis court, implemented through “Adopt your city” program. This project was donated by Novibet and Giannis Antetokounmpo through the CSR initiative Giant Heart. Νovibet has undertaken a very important initiative, as responding to citizens’ requests, it renovates sports facilities in different neighbourhoods aiming at making them accessible for every child.
PATISIA
Two new basketball courts, completely renovated and upgraded are now open to the public at Patisia (Agias Paraskevis and Sifnou). The project was supported by Euroleague Basketball and ΒΚΤ, as part of One Team, Euroleague Basketball’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) program implemented with the collaboration of Special Olympics, teams and sponsors. The courts were refreshed to the core with new colorful floors, painting of the court and the perimeter walls, new baskets, as well as upgrading the lighting for the safe use of the courts at night. During the launch event, a 3 on 3 tournament was held with the participation of children from the “Antaios” local basketball team as well as the neighborhood.
Logginou Grove
A playground and a basketball court as well as the park at Logginou Grove in Mets are born again with the valuable support of the Onassis Foundation. More than 2,500 new plantings in an area of 750 square meters contribute significantly to the grove’s biodiversity. Two young visual artists, Marios Markatis and Iasonas Koutsouris, members of U can’t stop Us, made an intervention with two colorful graffities that transform the renovated open-air basketball court and an adjacent wall. The new playground has bright, vibrant colors and new modern equipment, also suitable for people with disabilities.
PLATO’S ACADEMY
A modern, safe, and high standards playground opened in Plato’s Academy, combining entertainment and games with historical knowledge. New equipment and infrastructure create a special space for children. The reconstruction of the playground and the overall design for the revival of the Plato’s Academy park was donated by the A.G. Leventis Foundation, in the framework of the “Adopt the City” program.
ACROPOLIS
A high quality playground is enjoyed by the Athenians under the rocky hill of the Acropolis. It is a new, modern and safe complex of activities for the whole family, which highlights the unique historical and cultural richness of the city. The project is a proposal of the “ELLINIKI ETAIRIA – Society for environment and Cultural Heritage (ELLET)” which undertook the studies, while the implementation was donated exclusively by the Onassis Foundation under the “Adopt your city” programme.
The basic principles of the design are the natural materials, as well as the respect and promotion of the proximity to the Acropolis rock.
The playground is surrounded by the renewed garden, in which the existing plantings were maintained and reinforced with new ones, with the aim of the creation of an Attic Mediterranean sensory garden, which will stimulate the five basic senses.
Ampelokipoi
Two sports facilities in Ampelokipoi were renovated through the “Adopt your city” program. In collaboration with Novibet and Giannis Antetokounmpo, through the CSR initiative “Giant Heart”, the two new, modern basketball courts are now ready to welcome Athenians of all ages. The renovation works included painting the court and the perimeter walls , changing the backboards, new baskets, as well as upgrading the lighting for the safe use of the courts at night.
Kalliga Square
Kalliga square in Kato Patisia, a landmark of post-war Athens has been completely renovated with plantings, new benches, a fountain, and replacement of the old floor with cobblestones. In addition, through the Adopt Your City program, Visa donated a brand-new, fenced playground. Furthermore, a group of residents contributed to the completion of the project and secured the donation for the fountain.
Metaxourgeio
A brand-new, certified and state-of-the-art playground has been created in Metaxourgeio, next to Avdis Square and the Municipal Art Gallery. The project was implemented with the generous donation of the Onassis Foundation. It is a beautiful, safe, and functional area for children with a variety of toys in order for each child- depending on their age – can choose the type of activity that interests them. The playground is suitable and accessible to children with disabilities.
NATIONAL GARDEN
The playground of the National Garden was renovated to serve as an innovative and safe space for children of all ages. The equipment was designed and constructed exclusively for the city’s historical garden with natural materials that match functionally and aesthetically with the environment. The playground of 2,5 acres was donated by the “Non-Profit Civil Company AEGEAS” of Athanasios and Marina Martinos.
Neos Kosmos
Two Sports Centers and two playgrounds in Neos Kosmos were reborn with exclusive donation and implementation by the Onassis Foundation. The two basketball courts and one volleyball court at the 39th Sports Center on the corner of Sarkoudinou street and Kasomouli street and the 60th Sports Center at Heldreich Street, in Dourgouti Park operated by the City of Athens Culture, Sport and Youth Organization (OPANDA) are transformed into spaces where modern art and sports meet through artworks by street artists SAME84 and Ath1281 that exude joy and hope. Playgrounds have new cutting-edge equipment also suitable for disabled visitor and new safety flooring.