The grant program “TVOŘÍME PROSTOR” (Creating Space) provides an opportunity for active citizens to implement their own ideas and projects in public spaces, with the aim of improving their surroundings while supporting community life within the City of Ostrava.
The revitalization of the former swimming pool site was initiated by Tělocvičná jednota Sokol Ostrava–Plesná, which also owns the property. The park is being developed gradually through the dedicated efforts of Sokol members, their families, and volunteers.
In 2021, several organized volunteer work sessions took place, during which mainly self-sown trees, fallen branches, and litter were removed. During this time, a concept was developed outlining how the park should be implemented in its entirety.
At the beginning of 2022, the dilapidated structure of the former swimming pool, which had complicated the use of the land, was successfully filled in. New trees were also planted, and the old fencing around the property was gradually removed. Considerable effort was also required for clearing and pruning the overgrown wooded areas bordering the site.
A prominent feature of the park is the newly built biotope, which drains water from waterlogged areas and provides a habitat for several endangered animal species. Educational information boards were installed to explain its ecological function and significance. Nearby, a small rope park was built for children’s activities. The rest of the park is divided into several small groves equipped with benches. There is also a fire pit in one corner.
In the second phase, the area was further enriched with additional features for children, a little free library, a chess table, bowling pins, and a storage shed.
The proximity of the stream with its natural character and the adjoining forest vegetation expands the possibilities of the landscaped area by offering opportunities for spontaneous play, especially for children, in a completely natural environment.
Ninety percent of the land is located in a floodplain, which makes construction on the site impossible. Therefore, the creation of the park was both a compromise and a solution to the site’s spatial limitations.
In 2022, the project was supported by OZO Ostrava, a municipal waste management company, through a grant for planting greenery.
We were also supported by the public space revitalization grant program “Tvoříme prostor” (Creating Space), an official grant program of the City of Ostrava, which ran in two seperate calls for proposals.
Historical photograph
Photograph of the swimming pool before its closure in 1982.
Original condition of the site
May 2021 – March 2022
Clearing the former swimming pool area of volunteer vegetation and waste. Filling in the dilapidated swimming pool structure.
Clearing of the forest vegetation, planting
March–May 2022
Felling damaged trees, removing volunteer vegetation and remnants of fencing from the forest, and planting new trees.
Landscaping, planting
August–October 2022
Landscaping, biotope construction and its inlet channel, and planting shrubs and other vegetation.
Completion of the first phase of the park
April–July 2023
Installation of drainage systems, planting of small groves, installation of park furniture and a rope park, construction of a bridge and a fire pit, creation of signage, installation of a pump, and stone seating.
Progress of the implementation of the second phase of the park
July–October 2024
In the first half of the second phase of the revitalization of the former swimming pool site, we focused on adding elements that could not be financed in the first phase. This included expanding the rope park with additional features, as well as installing educational panels and an information board. We also purchased a small table (stool) for holding personal items next to the loungers. Together with the children, we installed birdhouses and an insect hotel in the park, and planted additional vegetation, shrubs, and trees.
In the autumn, it was also necessary to repair the damage caused by flooding in the park, which postponed some of the work until spring 2025.
December 2024–March 2025
This period was mainly used for planning and ordering supplies, as work in the park was not possible.
March–April 2025
With the arrival of good weather, work resumed with the delivery of materials (soil, aggregates, wood chips, etc.) and the start of landscaping, as well as preparing the site for a storage shed and a flower meadow. We also acquired the planned recreational features, this time primarily intended for adults, including Russian skittles, archery targets, a chess table, and a rest area. We established the flower meadow and performed spring maintenance of the park grounds. In front of the pump, we installed a set of troughs with small water mills. A little free library was installed next to the concrete loungers.
Visualization
