Prison Park: Three months on, still at ‘square one’
With 34 photographs and a record of previous interventions, the Residents’ Initiative is now calling on the Forestry Directorate to intervene over the abandoned Prison Park. RESIDENTS’ INITIATIVE
CORFU. Residents are turning to the Forestry Department, alleging that the combustible material remains in place and calling for immediate clearing, fire-protection infrastructure and a management plan.
In a memorandum and formal request submitted on 26 August, residents pointed out that three months had already passed since their initial appeal to the Municipality of Central Corfu, without, they claim, the park having undergone a thorough clean-up. They report an accumulation of dry grass and shrubs, fallen branches and trees, cut logs and rubbish, with a particularly large concentration of combustible material on the south-eastern side, close to residential properties and educational facilities.
The issue had also been raised before the Municipal Council on 21 July, following a written request signed by 250 residents. According to the Residents’ Initiative, the discussion acknowledged the need to address the problem and carry out a comprehensive redevelopment of the site.
However, residents claim that there has been no substantial progress since then, apart from the cutting of dry grass around the perimeter, mainly towards Kyprou Street.
Particular attention is drawn to shortcomings in the fire-protection infrastructure. According to the memorandum, the park has no network of fire hydrants, no functioning water tanks, and no properly constructed access routes for firefighting crews.
Residents point out that there is a fire hydrant in the area, outside the prison premises, while the old water tank has been abandoned and is being used as a dumping ground for rubbish.
The Residents’ Initiative also cites the municipal authority’s statement to the Municipal Council that the Green Spaces Department lacks sufficient staff and equipment, as well as the technical difficulties involved in removing fallen trees and logs.
In their application to the Forestry Department, residents are asking to be informed whether, and in what way, the service can, within the scope of its responsibilities, contribute to the immediate removal of combustible material, particularly woody debris.
At the same time, they are asking for clarification as to whether a management plan has been drawn up or submitted for approval for the Prison Park, either for its overall redevelopment or for tree-felling and the removal of woody material, as well as what the estimated cost of such an intervention would be.
“We feel that we are back at square one,” the Initiative states, accompanying its memorandum with 34 photographs documenting the condition of the park, which it says reflects the situation currently prevailing there.
GIORGOS KATSAITIS
