Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1521709
9 NEWS maltatoday | SUNDAY • 2 JUNE 2024 Expression of Interest (Social Media & Digital Marketing) For more info visit micas.art/get-involved or contact people@micas.art micas.art Closing at noon on Monday 17 th June 2024 Senior Officer A government agency under the remit of the ministry for social policy is eyeing Floriana's Pine- tum Garden, a 60,000sq.m urban green space, for a new upgrade. According to plans by Social Innovative Projects Manage- ment, an agency falling under the remit of social policy minis- ter Michael Falzon, the prima- ry goal to turn the urban green area into a "family-friendly destination while ensuring the safety and well-being of visi- tors". The plan is to erect a 1.5-me- tre high perimeter fence around the green space that is nestled between Pietà, Hay- wharf, Portes des Bombes, and Triq l-Indipendenza. The area is favoured for long walks along the harbour towns, developed as it is around the historic military glacis built on the way to Valletta. But the pinetum is also seen as a cruis- ing area for sexual hook-ups that may now be targeted for regulation, with designated en- trance and exit gates that will allow the park to be closed dur- ing non-operational hours. SIPM's project statement claims the fencing is meant to improve the safety of children who will be using the new facil- ities in an area surrounded by high-traffic roads. Two types of fencing will be used: a sturdy wrought-iron railing along the parameter to prevent unauthorized access and the passage of unauthor- ised vehicles, and a more aes- thetically pleasing wrought- iron and franka stone fencing for specific areas of the park, such as the bastions. The rehabilitation project in- cludes several other interven- tions aimed at enhancing the park's overall appeal and func- tionality, with a general clean- up and tree pruning to main- tain the health and aesthetics of the garden. No trees will be removed, and an environmen- tal permit will be obtained for the necessary tree pruning ac- tivities. New pathways will be created to improve accessibility, allow- ing individuals in wheelchairs and those with reduced mo- bility to navigate the park with ease. Public amenities such as benches, trash receptacles, and recreational areas will be in- stalled to enhance the visitor experience. Adequate lighting will be in- stalled to improve safety dur- ing night-time hours, while CCTV systems will be imple- mented to enhance security. Solar-powered bollards will be placed around the Nissen huts and picnic areas, ensuring sus- tainable lighting solutions that are environmentally friendly. The project includes the res- toration of six Nissen huts within the garden. These will be repurposed into communi- ty spaces, including a botanical garden, a horticultural cen- tre, an aviary, and a cafeteria. SIPM said "the addition of a cafeteria will contribute to lo- cal economic development by providing job opportunities and attracting visitors who may spend time in the surrounding community." The chosen steel grating path- ways, while not directly coher- ent with the existing semi-nat- ural aspect of the garden, are expected to blend with the sur- rounding terrain over time as they fill with organic material. The Pinetum Garden is home to several historically sig- nificant features such as the Grade 1 military glacis, lunette, and covered way lunette near Portes des Bombes, stands as an extraordinary historical and natural landmark. The rehabil- itation project ensures these features are preserved and in- tegrated into the garden's over- all design. The wooded area was safe- guarded from development more than 90 years ago when the British colonial govern- ment passed the Portes Des Bombes Area (Preservation) Act in 1933. The law was intended to safe- guard the green open space, which is one of the few remain- ing green areas in the harbour area. The law states that no de- velopment should be allowed in the area. Floriana Pinetum gardens to be turned into 'family-friendly' destination JAMES DEBONO jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt Social ministry's agency to develop children's play area and cafeteria, with park management operation