„The story began back in 2015, when this area was an unsightly site—once a car impound lot—bordered by a high flood wall and a rusted fence. Most of the three-hectare space was covered with concrete panels, protruding metal remnants, and other traces of its industrial past. Even so, we saw immense potential in this forgotten corner. In 2019, we succeeded in having the city entrust us with the land. We then cleared the site, replaced the concrete with grass, and installed outdoor fitness equipment so the space could be used ahead of its full renovation,“ said Jan Čižinský, Mayor of Prague 7.
„Prague’s Climate Plan specifically calls for increasing both the recreational use of the urban landscape and the proportion of greenery. This park delivers on both counts. Revitalizing neglected riverbanks is a valuable step toward enabling more Prague residents to spend time near water bodies—natural cool zones in the summer heat. I believe this park will also help improve the city’s microclimate,“ noted Jana Komrsková, Prague’s Deputy Mayor for the Environment and Climate Plan.
Local residents were actively involved in the park’s development from the outset. Several participatory meetings were held, the park became part of the broader Troja Basin urban park initiative, and local schoolchildren participated through art competitions. Citizens also voted to name the park „U Vody“ (By the Water). Feedback from these public discussions informed the brief for the design competition and ultimately shaped the final project. The competition, held between late 2020 and early 2021, was won by Studio YYYY.
„Our goal was to create a pleasant and functional public space that can dynamically adapt to a variety of uses and become part of a vibrant greenbelt along the entire Holešovice riverbank. Our district has one of the longest riverfronts in Prague, yet much of it was inaccessible just a few years ago. Today, pedestrians and cyclists can travel along the river from Lower Holešovice to Stromovka and back,“ said Lenka Burgerová, Deputy Mayor of Prague 7 for Urban Development and Participation.
Two main trails run through the park, both completed in April this year by Prague’s Technical Road Administration (TSK). The pedestrian and cycling path, part of the A1 backbone cycle route, connects the park to Stromovka on one side and continues via Jankovcova Street toward the city center on the other. A separate riverside promenade caters primarily to pedestrians, parents with strollers, and children on scooters.
„We are proud to have played an active role in this project, integrating the park into the city’s infrastructure with a new cycling route and riverside promenade. Our aim was to ensure safe, separate pathways for cyclists and pedestrians, entirely removed from car traffic. The new paths now seamlessly connect Stromovka to the new park developed by Prague 7. It is now possible to travel the full A1 route without interruption, from the railway bridge in Lower Holešovice to the path between Barikádníků and Troja Bridges and on to Stromovka. We also removed unsightly graffiti from bridge pillars, improving the overall visual appeal of the public space,“ added Filip Hájek, Director General of Prague’s Technical Road Administration.
The park offers numerous features: seating and picnic areas, a communal fire pit, an outdoor classroom, spaces for community activities, and workout equipment. It is interwoven with paths and trails, including a barefoot trail with varied textures for natural foot massage and playful experiences for children.
„The park is located in an active flood zone, where permanent structures are not permitted. That is why we focused on sensitive landscaping complemented by suitable urban furniture and sports elements. Natural vegetation has been preserved and enriched with new orchard-style plantings. A central open meadow serves as a space for dog walking or sports. As the name suggests, the park is closely connected with water—featuring new river access points and aquatic elements such as a refreshment pond and a spring with drinking water,“ said Jiří Knitl, Prague 7 Councillor responsible for Environment and Public Space.
„We installed around forty new lighting posts and nearly sixty energy-efficient LED fixtures throughout the park to enhance safety and visitor comfort. These lights operate in coordination with the city’s street lighting system, but their output is adjusted for a calm green zone. After 10:00 p.m., their brightness automatically dims to a night-time setting,“ explained Tomáš Jílek, Chair of the Board at Prague’s Technology, a Public Lighting Authority.
Refreshments and accessible restrooms are available at the nearby facility on Varhulíkové 12.
The total cost of creating the new park—including the design competition, planning, and implementation—amounted to CZK 46.5 million. The project was financed through external sources. The development was supported by a CZK 21 million grant from the Norway Grants (under the Environment, Ecosystems and Climate Change Programme) via the State Environmental Fund. The City of Prague contributed CZK 18 million. The remaining costs were covered by contributions from developers involved in urban projects in Prague 7. The largest share—CZK 3.8 million—was provided by Skanska, whose adjacent land connects to the new park landscaping.