Plzeň will ask the EU for money for a large relaxation center by the rivers

Plzeň - Plzeň will soon submit a request for EU funding for the first phase of building a large relaxation center around the first-league football stadium in Štruncovy sady. The project includes modifications to the waterfront and the confluence of the Radbusa and Mže Rivers so that this attractive and currently undervalued natural area near the city center can be used for relaxation and sports by the residents of Plzeň and tourists of all ages. In the first phase of the project, the city will submit applications to the Regional Operational Program for around 150 million crowns, said Mayor Pavel Rödl to ČTK.
    The creation of a large recreational area has been included in the city's projects related to its candidacy for the title of European Capital of Culture in 2015. "I believe that the area, which is currently significantly neglected and overgrown, will be greatly improved and will be frequently visited in Plzeň," said the mayor. The area will connect to the recreational territory by the river near the Plaza shopping center and, by neighboring the Mlýnská strouha, will link to the urban park circuit and, on the other side, will lead to sports facilities in the Roudná area.
    The plans include the construction of promenades in a natural environment along the rivers, resting places, bike paths, walking paths, benches, or picnic areas with tables and grills. The entire area is intended to be interspersed with small sports venues; for example, the city plans to build inline skating tracks, which are currently lacking in Plzeň, noted the mayor. A series of footbridges will span the rivers. An open-air gallery and a terrace with junctions for bike and pedestrian paths will also be included.
    In subsequent phases of the project, the connection of the area with the neighboring brewery is planned. This will open up a pathway to the brewery courtyard and the visitor center, which can currently only be accessed from a busy road.
    In the plans to revitalize the waterfront and the confluence of the rivers, the city had to forgo ideas such as restaurants and other facilities. The area is in a flood zone, so all buildings must follow the terrain. The park layout must also be organized so that trees and shrubs are not too dense and do not create obstacles during potential floods and river spillovers into the flood zone, Rödl added. The overall costs for the entire area were estimated last year at around 400 million crowns.