Marsascala Family Park: Rehabilitation of a Landfill into a Park
About this good practice
1. Remediation for the eyesore associated with the previously unrestored site;
2. Rehabilitation of the adjacent valley and afforestation in order to create new habitats for birds and other fauna;
3. Creation of an open area in the south of Malta.
The main activities implemented involved: earthworks including capping and geocells; construction of retaining walls; surface water drainage; placing subsoil and topsoil; the installation of an irrigation system and landscape planting. The recreational facilities in the park include a picnic area, a recreation/leisure area on the former waste mound, a dog park, an equestrian area, and a visitors centre. The park also has various play areas for different age groups, car parking facilities and the restoration of the Sant' Antnin chapel.
This project has benefited the Maltese population in general, especially the residents in the area surrounding the Marsascala landfill (c.10,000 people). These are now benefiting from a close-by park with recreational amenities.
Expert opinion
From 2030 onward, all materials suitable for recycling will be restricted from ending up in a landfill and thus landfill rehabilitation is a crucial part of the EU’s environmental policy framework, with regulations focused on ensuring that landfills are closed safely and human health and the environment stays protected in the long-term. Landfill sites often pose environmental and health risks, including the contamination of soil, water, and air through leachate (the liquid that drains from a landfill) and methane gas emissions. The goal of landfill rehabilitation is to mitigate these environmental risks, restore the land for safe use, and often convert the site into a beneficial space, such as parks and green areas, as is also shown in this good practice.
Resources needed
1. Cohesion Fund (EUR3.1m) for landfill capping;
2. EAFRD - Measure 313 (EUR2.8m) for the creation of a leisure area;
3. EAFRD - Measure 323 (EUR0.9m) for valley restoration and storm water control.
Evidence of success
This project has created a number of jobs related to park and operations management, administration, security and cleaning.
Potential for learning or transfer
Such a rehabilitation project may be replicated in old landfill sites in all regions, especially in regions having land scarcity where all land should be valorised.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
WasteServ Malta Ltd.