Inawgurat Ġnien Misraħ il-Karmelitani fiż-Żurrieq
Ġnien Misraħ il-Karmelitani fiż-Żurrieq, spazju miftuħ ta’ madwar 1,150m2 fejn qabel kien tarmak, ġie inawgurat mill-Ministru għall-Ambjent Miriam Dalli, flimkien mat-tim ta’ Project Green u s-Sindku taż-Żurrieq Rita Grima. Dan il-ġnien inbidel minn żona bit-tarmak, għal spazju miftuħ aċċessibbli f’żona residenzjali.
F’dan il-proġett ġie skavat ġibjun biex jiġbor fih l-ilma tax-xita mit-triq ħalli jintuża għat-tisqija tas-siġar u arbuxelli indiġeni. Ġiet installata sistema ta’ dawl solari, kif ukoll bankijiet u apparat ieħor li flimkien ħolqu spazju rikreattiv għall-komunità Żurrieqija.
Fis-sit ġie installat luzzu Malti, tal-mibki Gianni “l-Lixxu” Tonna, li ġie restawrat u ngħata b’donazzjoni lill-Kunsill Lokali bħala tifkira tiegħu. Dan il-luzzu tpoġġa fil-ġnien, inizjattiva kkordinata mis-Sindku flimkien ma’ Joseph Farrugia “t-Timba”, li assista fit-trasport u t-tħejjija tiegħu.
Fi Ġnien Misraħ il-Karmelitani tħawlu 40 siġra matura u 1,620 arbuxxell.
Il-Ministru Miriam Dalli qalet, “Proġett ieħor lest. Proġett wara l-ieħor, qed inkomplu nressqu aktar spazji miftuħa u aċċessibbli fil-komunitajiet tagħna. Ġnien Misraħ il-Karmelitani huwa eżempju ċar ta’ kif żona li qabel kienet miksija bit-tarmak inbidlet fi spazju ambjentali, sigur u rikreattiv għall-familji, ir-residenti u t-tfal taż-Żurrieq. Spazji bħal dawn jagħmlu differenza fil-ħajja ta’ kuljum, għax joħolqu postijiet fejn in-nies jistgħu jiltaqgħu, jistrieħu u jqattgħu ħin ta’ kwalità fil-beraħ.”
“Dan il-proġett juri wkoll kif l-ambjent urban jista’ jitfassal b’mod aktar sostenibbli. Permezz tal-ġibjun għall-ġbir tal-ilma tax-xita, is-sistema ta’ dawl solari, u t-tħawwil ta’ siġar u arbuxxelli indiġeni, qed ninvestu f’infrastruttura ħadra li sservi lin-nies illum filwaqt li tgħin lill-komunitajiet tagħna jkunu aktar reżiljenti għall-isfidi ambjentali. Bħala Gvern, flimkien ma’ Project Green u l-kunsilli lokali, se nkomplu naħdmu biex aktar lokalitajiet ikollhom spazji miftuħa ta’ kwalità qrib id-djar tagħhom,” qalet il-Ministru Dalli.
Il-Perit tal-proġett, Daniel Tabone spjega kif f’dan il-ġnien wieħed jista’ jsib żona li fiha jista’ jospita sezzjonijiet tal-yoga. “F’kull proġett li naħdmu bħala Project Green, dejjem naraw li l-ispazji miftuħa jkollhom użi differenti tal-ġnien, li tmur lil hinn minn spazju miftuħ. Propju hawnhekk fi Ġnien Misraħ il-Karmelitani rajna li noħolqu spazju apposta għal sezzjonijiet ta’ yoga jew eżerċizzju ieħor – b’dan il-mod qed nagħtu opportunità lill-pubbliku biex jagħmel eżerċizzju għal ħajja aktar b’saħħitha,” irrimarka l-Perit Tabone.
Preżenti għall-inawgurazzjoni kien hemm ukoll membri tal-Kunsill Lokali taż-Żurrieq u l-familjari ta’ Gianni Tonna.
Ġnien Misraħ il-Karmelitani, huwa fost 16-il proġett li ħabbret Project Green permezz tal-iskema Community Greening Grant.
Misraħ il-Karmelitani Garden inaugurated in Żurrieq
Misraħ il-Karmelitani Garden in Żurrieq, an open space of around 1,150m² on a site that was previously covered in tarmac, was inaugurated by the Minister for the Environment,Energy and Public Cleanliness Miriam Dalli, together with the Project Green team and Żurrieq Mayor Rita Grima. The garden has transformed a tarmacked area into an accessible open space in a residential area.
As part of the project, a reservoir was excavated to collect rainwater from the road, which will be used to irrigate the indigenous trees and shrubs planted in the garden.Solar lighting was also installed, together with benches and other amenities, creating a recreational space for the Żurrieq community.
A Maltese luzzu belonging to the late Gianni “il-Lixxu” Tonna was also installed on site. The boat was restored and donated to the Local Council in his memory. It was placed in the garden through an initiative coordinated by the Mayor together with Joseph Farrugia “it-Timba”, who assisted with its transport and preparation.
A total of 40 mature trees and 1,620 shrubs were planted in Misraħ il-Karmelitani Garden.
Minister Miriam Dalli stated, “Another project has been completed. Project after project, we are continuing to bring more open and accessible spaces to our communities. Misraħ il-Karmelitani Garden is a clear example of how an area that was previously covered in tarmac has been transformed into an environmental, safe and recreational space for families, residents and children in Żurrieq. Spaces like these make a difference in people’s daily lives, as they create places where people can meet, rest and spend quality time outdoors.”
“This project also shows how the urban environment can be designed in a more sustainable way. Through the rainwater collection reservoir, the solar lighting system, and the planting of indigenous trees and shrubs, we are investing in green infrastructure that serves people today while helping our communities become more resilient to environmental challenges. As Government, together with Project Green and local councils, we will continue working so that more localities have quality open spaces close to their homes,” said Minister Dalli.
Project architect Daniel Tabone explained that the garden also includes an area that can host yoga sessions. “In every project we work on as an agency, we always ensure that open spaces have different uses, going beyond simply being open areas. Here at Misraħ il-Karmelitani Garden, we specifically created a space for yoga sessions or other forms of exercise. In this way, we are giving the public the opportunity to exercise and lead a healthier life,” said Perit Tabone.
Members of the Żurrieq Local Council and relatives of Gianni Tonna were also present for the inauguration.
Misraħ il-Karmelitani Garden is among 16 projects announced by Project Green through the Community Greening Grant scheme.
