Šmartinski Park, Northern green wedge of Ljubljana

In 2007 the area was cleared of illegal allotment gardens to demonstrate new urban development policy. This most delicate action was carried out with a lot of sensitivity to the gardeners and the future of gardening in the city as well as for the area’s development. People were able to get explanations from the mayor on site and a professional team marked the existing trees to be protected from construction damage. After clearing a flowering lawn mixture was sown in the first season and the area was open to public while the process of designing started. Nearby local communities were consulted about their wishes and they confirmed a need for a new park and playground. In a new master plan the road that was bisecting the area was omitted as well. Due to its vast dimension of 13 ha the transformation of the area into a park was gradual, starting in 2007 and reaching its climax in 2016. In the first phase two basic walkthrough paths were erected, the terrain was reshaped and new large trees were planted in addition to existing fruit trees. The playground was designed later providing a play area for all, no matter the age, physical or mental ability. Its location was planned carefully, with a proper relation to the cemetery and out of impacts of main road and power lines. The design itself was to provide spaciousness, playfulness, water features and lots of vegetation. The transformation was very well accepted from the beginning amongst local community and visitors alike.