Chełm park seeks a name as €4.5M rebuild ends
Chełm park naming divides residents as the 20 million zł revitalisation nears completion with modern eco features.
The new city park in Chełm, a project worth over 20 million złoty, nears completion. Chełm park naming now sparks a lively debate among residents and officials.
What’s happening on the ground
The city expects work to finish in autumn. However, machines still run behind fences. Moreover, the mayor Jakub Banaszek announced two to three more months of work. Consequently, the park will open later than first planned. In addition, residents already see the new paths and planted trees. The contractor, Strabag, won the final contract. Previously, the city ran three tenders and faced budget gaps. Therefore, the final cost rose to over 20 million zł. Moreover, over 12 million zł came from EU funds for Eastern Poland. As a result, the project moved from plans to reality.
Chełm park naming: choices and local debate
Residents quickly proposed many names. For example, some suggested Park Polan or Park Połaniecka. However, others offered Park Przyjaźni, or Friendship Park, to reflect community ties and EU links. Moreover, a few joked about Park Zimowy because of the delay. In addition, one resident proposed naming the park after Mayor Banaszek. Consequently, online comments mixed gratitude with irony. The city currently has no official park name. Therefore, officials now invite public discussion. In Poland, city councils usually approve public names. However, some places adopt popular names anyway. As a result, the final decision can carry symbolic weight.
Why this matters beyond local pride
The investment goes far beyond fresh benches. For example, designers included rain gardens, green roofs, and a retention fountain. Moreover, the plan features accessible playgrounds for children with disabilities. In addition, the project will use photovoltaics and a small wind turbine. Furthermore, planners built toilets with closed water systems. The park will also host a rose garden with 46 varieties. Therefore, it can become a showpiece for eco solutions in the region. Consequently, the park will attract families and visitors. Moreover, it will affect mapping and addresses in city systems. In addition, a formal name will appear in municipal records and online maps. Hence, naming affects wayfinding for newcomers and expats.
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