PUŁTUSK’S GREEN AND RECREATIONAL AREAS

In the years 2014-2022, a multi-stage investment project entitled “Green and recreation areas in Pułtusk” was implemented in the Pułtusk municipality under the Operational Programme Infrastructure and Environment 2014-2020, Priority Axis II, Measure 2.5 “Taking action to improve the urban environment.” Project type: Development of green areas in cities and their functional areas – co-financed by the European Union from the Cohesion Fund – Infrastructure and Environment Programme 2014-2020.

The material scope included:

• 9 public green areas: the boulevards along canals, the Narutowicza Park, the amphitheater at Baltazara Street, the Klenczona Alleyway with a musical park, the community park on a slope at Widok Street, the community park at Sarbiewskiego Street, the park at the village community center in Grabówiec, the park at Solna Street – the site of the marina, and the Piłsudskiego Square – a children’s playground;
• 3 schoolyard green areas: the educational park at Public Elementary School no. 3, the skating rink at Public Elementary School no. 4, and the area of the playground at kindergarten no. 4 at M. Konopnickiej Street;
• tree plantings in along Old Town streets: Przechodnia, Reformacka, Świętojańska, Nowy Rynek, Kotlarska, Piotra Skargi, Benedyktyńska, Marii Konopnickiej, Młodzieżowa, and Panny Marii.

Total implementation cost: PLN 5,833,971.45, including subsidy: PLN 4,274,163.73.

Green areas in urban spaces have a considerable impact on the quality of life of residents. Healthy, lush greenery is the most significant factor that has a relaxing, soothing, and even therapeutic effect on the human body. It is important to wisely and creatively incorporate greenery into the urban structure of the city in the form of urban parks, squares, sensory flower meadows, or places for play and recreation. The aforementioned project includes the creation of approximately 10 hectares of exemplary greenery that will facilitate relaxation.

NARUTOWICZA PARK

The park, along with the amphitheater and the historic former Jesuit cellars, is a unique historical and spatial complex that has not been spared by the passage of time. As part of the revitalization, the organization of the pedestrian traffic was changed. Rows of elegant benches and stylish lanterns were installed at the park’s central point on the crest of a hill.

AMPHITHEATER AT BALTAZARA STREET

At the site of the former amphitheater, a so-called “green wall” was constructed using the stepped layout of the structure. The use of the amphitheater according to its original function proved impossible due to the lack of the required technical parameters. However, to ensure that the remains of the amphitheater do not disappear, they were left in the form of a permanent romantic ruin, overgrown with vegetation and a gloriette was installed in the center of the stage to act as a rack for climber plants.

KLENCZONA ALLEYWAY WITH A MUSICAL PARK

The green area along Klenczona Alleyway has been equipped with elements linked to and commemorating the work of the famous Pułtusk-born musician. A musical garden was created, which involved an installation of outdoor instruments that allow people to play music. The square where the instruments are located is shaped like the neck of a guitar, as is the upper part of the alleyway in the surroundings of the graduation tower. The arrangement of the area, along with a mural with the artist’s image, forms a beautiful nook that is full of sounds, colors, and a variety of plants.

BOULEVARDS ALONG CANALS

This is the longest walking route in the city with a mineral surface. In the vicinity of the Wiktor Gomulicki’s monument, a rose bed against a colorful fairy tale mural emphasizes the majestic character of the place. Behind the monument to St. John Nepomucene, one can walk along a wide avenue marked by a line of old trees and stylish lanterns. Along the boulevards, numerous plantings have been made of non-invasive species of trees, shrubs, and perennials. Historical photos from 1911 document a similar layout and character of the avenue.

PARK AT SOLNA STREET – THE SITE OF THE MARINA

The park at Solna Street highlights the scenic qualities of the site and exposes the view of the Narew River. A vantage point has been created with the possibility of setting up a stage for outdoor events organized in the city. A sizable pergola was built to serve primarily as a support for climber plants. The park has been enriched with numerous objects of interesting form and color. The park space is complemented by multicolored flower beds with a predominance of melliferous plant species. The park will be complemented by a water playground.

COMMUNITY PARK AT SARBIEWSKIEGO STREET

The park has gained a completely new functional and spatial dimension. It can be used for various forms of recreation and sports. A children’s zone has been arranged, consisting of a playground, as well as a recreation zone – a barbecue gazebo and a hearth, a concert zone – a platform paved with concrete cobblestones, a mini amphitheater with a palisade and natural turf, and a sports zone – two basketball and volleyball courts with a safe surface. Decorative plants add to the beauty of the park.

PIŁSUDSKIEGO SQUARE – CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND

The public space of the square was revitalized while preserving the old trees. The new plantings are mostly shrubs and perennials with an attractive appearance, whose appearance is constantly changing depending on the species and the season. Their role is to form a sensory garden. The course of the former Mała Street has been marked out. The worn-out elements of the playground were replaced with new ones, which were installed on a safe surface. A pergola was built in the northern part to symbolize the historical frontage of the square’s wooden buildings. It is a frame for climber plants and an area for outdoor exhibitions and the presentation of information about Pultusk’s twin cities.

COMMUNITY PARK ON THE SLOPE AT WIDOK STREET

The slope at Widok Street is an excellent vantage point for viewing the city’s skyline. Before the project was implemented, it was a large wasteland. By properly incorporating traffic routes and adding some street furniture, supplemented with decorative plants, this area was turned into an attractive park.

PARK AT THE VILLAGE COMMUNITY CENTER IN GRABÓWIEC

A large 9450-square-meter recreational and sports park was built next to the newly enlarged community center. The area gained a new circulation system. Beach and soccer fields were arranged, as well as an outdoor gym. The park was equipped with a gazebo, a barbecue, a campfire site, benches, nesting boxes for birds, boxes for bumblebees, and information and educational boards. Decorative plants were planted throughout the park.