Sports and active recreation park “Mežs” (The Forest) in Valmiera
About this good practice
"Mežs" was built and designed in an asphalted area along the busiest street of Valmiera city, where a skatepark was formerly located. It was developed in a co-creation process, aligning plans of territorial development with the needs of local people. Skatepark users and other residents wished for the area to have more shading to help avoid excessive heat effects during summer, as well as more skatepark and sports amenities.
Reconstruction project was developed by "CITY PLAYGROUNDS", in cooperation with “Mind Work Ramps”, "Ceļu Komforts" Ltd. and landscape architects from "ALPS Ainavu Darbnīca".
Skatepark area was reconstructed, also adding a pump track. Sports infrastructure in the park was complemented by a streetball court, ping-pong tables, calisthenics zone and a playground.
A unique landscape design is displaying the name of the park – Forest – with a diverse and rich vegetation, using ecological materials such as pine bark mulch for ground cover in the playground area. The park’s natural terrain also helps with the rainwater drainage into the green zones. Additionally, a public water tap was installed, as well as appropriate lighting infrastructure and a localized rainwater collection system.
As a result, the area was transformed into a multifunctional, renovated urban space which embodies the three New European Bauhaus principles – sustainable, aesthetic and inclusive. This project proves that an asphalted, urban area can be designed green and sustainable.
Expert opinion
Resources needed
Valmiera County Municipality contributed with 686 000 EUR from the municipal budget. Additionally the project received a 500 000 EUR donation from “Latvijas Valsts meži” (Latvian State Forests) aimed at creating an educational sports and recreation area for children and families.
Evidence of success
The park has gained praise and recognition both locally and across the border:
- Inclusion in the EC catalogue "Living Spaces" as one of 30 good examples across Europe;
- "Sustainability in architecture, construction and design in Baltics 2023" - 1st place in "Most Sustainable Territory Development" nomination
- "Best Building of the Year in Latvia 2021" - 2nd place in "Landscape" nomination;
- "Latvian Construction Award of the Year 2021" - 2nd place in "Territory Improvement" nomination.
Potential for learning or transfer
“The Forest” is a great example of integrating nature and green ecosystem in an urban setting, creating a multifunctional and easily accessible public space. A crucial part of the project was the feedback from the local community, which still shares new ideas for improvements in the park. The results show the potential and benefits of community engagement, and a willingness to collaborate from both citizens and Valmiera County Municipality.
Practical use of green infrastructure and a pleasant landscape design accounts for both sustainability and aesthetic dimensions of New European Bauhaus. Furthermore, the newly installed urban sports area helps to promote an active and healthy lifestyle, which is an important point of the municipality’s long-term development vision, providing the necessary infrastructure for different sports activities. "Mežs" is an accessible place for everyone who either wishes to engage in sports activities or just to enjoy a moment in a vibrant, pleasant space.
