A disused site at Ta’ Ġawhar area in Safi was transformed into a new picnic area and dog park through another investment in the community. The works were carried out by Project Green and Ambjent Malta, in collaboration with the Safi Local Council.

 

Minister for the Environment, Energy and Enterprise Miriam Dalli together with Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries, Aquaculture and Animal Rights Alicia Bugeja Said, Project Green CEO Steve Ellul, Safi Mayor Johan Mula and other Safi local councillors visited the new green open space.

 

The design of the 1,000-square-metre dog park and picnic area at Ta’ Ġawhar reflects the commitment towards sustainability. Its new outdoor furniture, including picnic tables, is made of sustainable materials, while lighting and security cameras are powered by solar panels. The area’s greenery, including 30 new indigenous trees and 40 shrubs, is watered using rainwater stored in a new reservoir that Project Green built as part of this investment. The agency also built new rubble walls and installed fencing, to ensure the safety of all users of this new open space.

 

Environment Minister Miriam Dalli explained that this site, which had become an illegal dumping area for all kinds of waste, is now another green open space for nearby residents.

 

“We are working to increase and regenerate open spaces in all localities, whilst maintaining a strong commitment to quality, accessibility, and sustainability. Project Green is also working closely with all stakeholders so that these open spaces meet the different needs and aspirations of our communities. In this case, we responded to the community’s wish to have a new dog park in the south of the island, while also creating a picnic area which will surely become very popular among families in this area,” Minister Dalli said.

 

Parliamentary Secretary Bugeja Said stated, “Through this project, we are seeing a thousand square metre open space, where families can spend time outdoors with their dogs. After listening to the public, we understood that we needed more dog parks that are open all day and night. We will continue to work on this model in order to open more dog parks.”

 

Project Green CEO Steve Ellul stated, “Prioritising water management and harvesting in our parks is one way of facilitating the continued upkeep of the trees and plants we are adding in these open spaces, to ensure longevity.”

 

The Ta’ Ġawhar Dog Park and Picnic Area is open all day, from Monday to Sunday. It is the eighth open space opened in the past six months. Earlier this year the Ministry opened another new picnic area at the San Klement Park in Żabbar, the regeneration of the Ta’ Qali Dog Park, the Bengħajsa Family Park in Birżebbuġa, the first Green Open Campus at Millbrae Grove in Mosta, the embellishment of the Petting Farm and Minden Grove at Ta’ Qali, the first phase of the restoration of the historic St Philip Gardens in Floriana and the upgrading of Ġnien iż-Żgħażagħ in Gudja.​