Park 'Mala Arkadia' Under Threat: Residents Oppose Development Plans 0 10

Of course, public opinion immediately divided: those who used the park as a recreational area would like to continue watching sunsets and sunrises there, while supporters of the idea that private property is above all are ready to defend the interests of landowners.

Local residents and activists decided to inform anyone interested about their vision of Mala Arkadia. Naturally, they believe that 'Mala Arkadia' is an integral part of the 'Arkadia' park and a full-fledged part of the ensemble of the parks of Zadvina. Accordingly, they demanded to preserve the park and improve it, as it looks unkempt and untidy; new benches and lights would not go amiss. And, of course, it is necessary to keep the park in public ownership.

Among those who signed the appeal for the preservation of the park are architect Peteris Blooms, the Development Society of Agenskalns, the Ojar Vacietis Museum, the Jan Akuraters Museum, the technological enterprise 'Draugiem Group', scientist Vitaly Zelch, and others.

However, on the land cadastre map, this area has already been divided into five building plots. One of the landowners has planned to build a three-story house on his plot.

Back in 2011, residents received assurances from the city council that the park needed to be preserved and transferred to municipal ownership. At that time, when converted from lats to 'our money', the value of the land occupied by the park was estimated at a laughable 10,000 euros. The Housing and Environment Committee passed a resolution that the 'Mala Arkadia' park is a significant natural object and should be transferred to city ownership to ensure the park's maintenance and public accessibility.

However, at that time, the Finance Committee did not allocate funds for the purchase of the park. And now the 'shadows are returning'. What will happen next with the park depends solely on the decision of the Riga City Council. But now it will certainly not cost just 10,000.