Thessaloniki to Create a Park Inclusive and Accessible for All

The Municipality of Thessaloniki recently announced plans to create its first “Park for All” in the area of Toumba, based on the principles of inclusiveness and accessibility.

Budgeted at 1.36 million euros, the park will be constructed by the municipality at a formerly abandoned site following the signing of an agreement between Thessaloniki Mayor Konstantinos Zervas and Deputy Labor Minister Domna Michailidou.

Thessaloniki’s “Park for All” will include special infrastructure and will be accessible for adults and children with disabilities.

The project is part of a municipal program titled “Together in play – together in life” that foresees the installment of  play equipment suitable for children of all abilities within the city’s playgrounds.

“After decades of efforts, an area of more than 0.50 acres in Toumba will be used to create a space for children – a space of co-existence,” Konstaintinos Zervas said.

“The principle of ensuring equal access for all is becoming a reality. We are working towards creating an inclusive society”, he added.

Thessaloniki’s “Park for All” scheme aims to create:

– an urban area based on the principles of equal access for all with an integrated activity space for people with disabilities
– a significant open space that will be part of a wider network of free public spaces within Thessaloniki
– an organized recreation park located within a short distance from a number of primary and secondary school buildings
– a central meeting point in direct connection with central operations in the wider area
– a space that will contribute to the inclusion of people with disabilities and ensure the safe use of facilities by all children
– a space that will improve the quality of life of children and adults with disabilities, and their families, and ensure social inclusion.