Prime Minister Edi Rama spent some nice time this morning with a group of children and with their grandparents at the playground of the Lake Park. In an open talk about additional spaces and parks for children and their grandparents in the Tirana we want, they showed their enthusiasm about the newest playground, which has become the most favourite place where children and their grandparents spend their time. “The difference is like night and day. Children have a good time, they play, no cars, they’re happy. I bring my granddaughter here often”, one of the grandmothers said.
The Mayor of Tirana, Erion Veliaj, had also joined the group, and he communicated them the long-awaited news that the square “Skenderbej” will open on June 10. It will be a totally transformed space of greenery and entertainment. “The square has come out very beautifully. This week we will test the fountains to see how they work. We have planted a lot of trees all around, so that we don’t have only slabs for concerts and meetings, but trees as well. One part of it has only olives, and the other part only fruit trees.”
This news was a surprise for a 6-year old girl, who celebrates her birthday right on June 10. Prime Minister Rama and Mayor Veliaj invited her and all the children and their grandparents to be there on the inauguration day.
During a conversation with some regular visitors of the Lake Park, Mayor Veliaj said that the investment for this playground was one of the least costly, but definitely a very valuable one. “This is probably among the investments that have cost less to the city hall, but it looks beautiful. It has been a real success. A lot of people come here, especially in the afternoon. We’re about to complete the running track, and in the meantime are opening the bike lanes so that those who ride the bikes won’t interfere with those who run. Many neighbouring high school students, especially those of “Petro Nini”, have here their gym class.”
Mayor Veliaj talked also about some expected projects aiming to add a giant sports complex to the green lung of Tirana. “We have just received the Master Plan. The architect has proposed to join the zoo with the botanical garden, so that both spaces can be used. The area down at the dam has been expanded and declared Park. The Plan was made public today by the NTC. We will do the inauguration very soon. We want to make the outdoor fields. The project of the Olympic swimming pools has just ended. There are many kids who practice swimming. We are ready to fund the project. We want to clean up the territory and turn it into sports grounds. There are also alternative sports such as yoga, rugby, and sports that have not been practiced before. The sport practice has had a great impact.”
In assuring his support to the Plan, the Prime Minister said that this transformation will make of this space a fantastic complex. “This project is much needed, as this area is still in bed conditions. The botanical garden along with the zoo, the park down at the lake and the many sports grounds will make of it a fantastic complex.”
