The utilization of small areas for the creation of outdoor green spaces in densely populated neighborhoods of the Municipality of Athens, in areas outside the historic center, is a key priority of the municipal authority. Pocket parks can help reinvigorate urban areas and reorganize the urban and social fabric at a neighborhood level. At the same time, city’s existing parks and squares are being upgraded through the program.
Sofia Vempo Square
Residents in Ampelokipi enjoy a refreshed green space in the city at the renovated Sofia Vempo square. Through “Adopt your city” program and with the support of Olympic Brewery and FIX Hellas this square near Panormou street completely changed into a reference point for the city. More than 1,120 plants were added focusing on biodiversity and resilience. Botanic signs were placed around the park informing the visitors about the plants. Bird feeders and water fountain for dogs were added to create a safe shelter for the animals. Additionally, new benches were added, the existing ones were renovated along with the routes inside the park.
Pocket Park – Neos Kosmos
The City of Athens, with the valuable support of P&G, created the 9th pocket park at Neos Kosmos, upgrading one more place to the benefit of the neighbourhood. Organization Earth turned a 200 m2 unused plot at the corner of Artemonos and Aetionos streets into a beautiful park. Four benches were placed and 140 m2 were planted, creating a nice environment with 468 middle and small sized bushes.
DIMITRIS PIKIONIS PARK
Dimitris Pikionis Park was completely renovated with the support of VISA and a sculpture of Dimitris Pikionis was placed at the park. The sculpture was created by Froso Efthymiadi – Menegaki (1911-1955) and donated to the City of Athens by his daughter Agni Pikioni. The renovation included the restoration of the existing infrastructure, as well as the enrichment of the greenery with 1.500 new plants, creating a sustainable and operational park. Additionally, in the framework of rejuvenating the neighborhood, Nikolopoulos square, located near Dimitris Pikionis park, was also renovate adding 350 new plants and restoring the existing infrastructure. This project was also supported by VISA.
POCKET PARK – ΑΝΟ PATISIA
A new pocket park was born in Ano Patisia, ready to offer residents an outlet for rest and recreation. With the generous sponsorship of STIHL, as part of the “Adopt Your City” program, all the necessary works were carried out, walkways were formed, a new automatic irrigation system was installed, the existing urban equipment was restored, and the lighting was upgraded with LED for better light and energy saving. Finally, the existing greenery was maintained, an additional 620 new plants were planted and turf was installed. The park at the junction of Mitsaki and Polyla streets was given a modern and attractive image, upgrading the neighbourhood.
Pocket Park – Patisia
The new bioclimatic “pocket” park of 230 sq.m. at Patisia, was created with the support of Nova – member of United Group. The existing trees, robinia, are combined with 358 Mediterranean bushes, impressive colourful plants and plants that blossom throughout the year. The pocket park is also ideal for exercise due to the horizontal bars, placed in the middle of the park following safety protocols.
Park “Perivolaki Ethnikis Antistasis”
A historical green space was reborn through “Adopt your city” program with the support of FIX Hellas. The park “Perivolaki Ethnikis Antistasis” in Koukaki has become more “colourful” as trees and more than 1000 mediterranean plants were placed. As part of its rejuvenation, its equipment was renovated, the existing drinking water fountain was repaired, the irrigation system was renewed and extended. Urban birds and insects feeders and botanic signs were placed. Moreover, natural arches, new benches, a photovoltaic charger for mobile devices and calisthenics equipment complete the new age park.
In October 2022, two small buildings within the park were decorated with the works of second-year students of AKTO. The project was carried out in collaboration with FIX Hellas.
Japanese Garden
The first Japanese Garden in the country was born at Niriides park in Pagkrati. This thematic park of 3,500 sq.m. is one of the most important recreation spaces in Athens and was created with the kind support of JT International Hellas, under the auspices of the Embassy of Japan in Greece. The Garden is full of elements of the Japanese culture, based on the «Biophilic Design», which follows the innate need of people to be in contact with nature within the current environment. The Garden was designed and implemented by the landscape architecture firm Ecoscapes.
Pocket Park – Petralona
One more “green” meeting point for Athenians has been created at the Dimitrios Pavlidis pedestrian street. With the support of P&G and AB Vasilopoulos and the overview of Organization Earth, the City of Athens restored one more green space at a lively neighbourhood of Athens, beautifying it with flower beds of 160sq.m.
Pocket Park – Agios Artemios
The 7th pocket park of the City of Athens was “born” at Agios Artemios, a densely populated neighbourhood, also known as Gouva. With the support of Nova – member of United Group, the network of innovative bioclimatic green spaces in Athens expands aiming at improving the quality of life in the neighbourhoods, offering vital space to the inhabitants and revamping deserted areas.
Pocket Park – Kerameikos
On the corner of Megalou Alexandrou street and Mikinon street a space of 300sq.m. was transformed into a park by Procter & Gamble and Organization Earth. Seven new trees were planted including an olive tree in the center of the park, as well as more than 330 climbing plants, bushes and other native aromatic trees. The urban equipment were renovated completely and the lighting was enhanced by an autonomous photovoltaic element.
Pocket Park – Kolonos
In January 2021, one more pocket park was completed in Kolonos, with the donation of Heracles Group, based on sustainability and environmentally friendly design.
Fix Park
Olympic Brewery and Fix Hellas supported the revival of Fix park at Patisia, with more than 4,500 new plants, new infrastructure and an open air art exhibition by Graphic Design and Fine Arts students of AKTO, who designed the 27 benches of the park.
Pocket Park – Pagkrati
The largest pocket park of 750sq.m., located in Pagkrati, was created with the support of P&G and Organization Earth. It is an ecosystem of more than 1,150 plants and trees that will contribute to the area environmentally and aesthetically, it will decrease carbon dioxide emissions and will increase biodiversity.
Pocket Park- Ano Kypseli
The first pocket park was created in Ano Kypseli, in July 2020, with the support of the Deloitte Foundation, providing a fresh green space for residents and passers-by as well as a meeting point for the neighborhood.
Pocket Park – Sepolia
At Sepolia, the City of Athens partnered with “P&G” and Organization Earth to create a bioclimatic park and a green oasis in the city. A deserted space on Dramas street transformed into a lavender field with 190 plants and bushes, mainly lavender, rosemary, myrtle and thyme. Additionally, some elements from the Atenistas intervention in the past remain and have been refreshed, such as the impressive mural by Fikos.