Chotek Gardens, the oldest public park in Prague, is set for a major revitalisation. A team of Czech landscape architects aims to preserve its historical heritage while offering visitors new perspectives. The first visible changes are expected as early as next year.
Prague’s oldest public park, Chotek Gardens (Chotkovy sady), will soon have a new look. The competition for its redesign was won by landscape architects Martina Kameníková and Radek Prokeš from Studio Arkytek, together with Matouš Jebavý. Their proposal convinced the jury in a competition organised by the Prague Castle Administration in cooperation with the Institute of Planning and Development of the Capital City of Prague (IPR). The winning team carefully builds on the original concept by landscape architect František Josef Thomayer from the early 19th century – while also introducing modern elements.
“We want to turn the park, which has seen hardly any investment for at least three decades and is in very poor condition, into a green oasis – with new views of Prague and attractive areas for relaxation,” explains Pavel Vyhnánek, Director of the Prague Castle Administration. The project is to be financed entirely from tourism revenue. “In this way, the money ultimately flows back to the city’s residents and visitors,” Vyhnánek emphasises.
The architects’ design also responds to today’s user needs. The park will include a new cycle route. “We also plan to increase safety and comfort around the park entrances and to better adapt the paths in busy areas for both pedestrians and cyclists,” explains Ondřej Boháč, Director of the IPR.
As part of the renovation, paths and benches that have become badly worn will be completely restored. New park furniture, lighting, and a landscaped area with shrubs and flowering plants around the Julius Zeyer monument will also be added. In addition, a large viewing terrace with a rest area and picnic tables is planned.
The competition, launched in the spring, attracted both Czech and international landscape architects. Second place went to TERRA FLORIDA in collaboration with the Swedish studio Mandaworks, and third place to a German-Czech team led by Miroslav Pazdera, Atelier Le Balto, GbR, and Space for Relational Research.
