Redevelopment of Patticheio Park in Larnaca completed

The redevelopment project of Patticheio Park, the largest park in Larnaca, has been officially completed and handed over to the local municipality. Construction work, carried out by Miltiades Neophytou Civil Engineering Constructors & Developers Ltd, began on October 23, 2023, with a budget of €5.3 million. The project was co-financed by the European Union through the THALIA 2021-2027 Cohesion Policy Programme. Completion occurred approximately eight months behind the original schedule, a delay officials attributed to necessary restrictions imposed during summer months to mitigate fire risks.

The project has faced significant public controversy due to its location within the Natura 2000 network, adjacent to the protected Larnaca Salt Lake wetland. In response to intense criticism regarding the scale of the environmental impact, original plans were modified to remove a proposed skatepark, sports courts, and a parking area in the Faneromeni district. Additionally, authorities mandated the use of environmentally friendly materials for all pedestrian paths. Despite these design concessions, a segment of the local population continues to express opposition, arguing that the interventions remain overly invasive for such a sensitive ecological area.