The final part of the repairs to Grébovka will cost 112.7 million crowns

Prague - The final part of the renovation of the heavily visited Havlíček Gardens in Prague 2 will cost 112.7 million crowns. More than half of this amount was obtained by the municipality from European funds, Mayor Jana Černochová (ODS) told reporters today. The lower part of the park known as Grébovka will remain closed until next year due to reconstruction. All work is expected to be completed by the summer of 2013.
Prague 2 will repair the retaining walls near Dolní Landhauska in the coming months, build a pétanque court, and create a viewing platform with seating by the Botič River. The children's playground at U Štiky will also be transformed. Toilets and storage spaces will be added in the lower part of the park. Architect Hedvika Hronová stated that the repairs of the original bowling balustrade along the path to Gröbe's villa will follow. Asphalt or broken paths will be replaced with walkways paved with stones or gravel. The project also includes the return of water features and wells.
"The park will be restored to its original form as it was established by builder Moritz Gröbe," said the architect. "At the same time, we want to plant greenery in the garden that used to be here," she added. Next year, the statue of Neptune, whose copy is currently being made by sculptors, will also return to the park.
The beloved Grébovka, which was created in the 1870s, was taken over by the Vinohrady municipality in 1999. The garden was in a very neglected state. The municipality has managed to repair, for example, the pavilion, the Viniční gazebo, the adjacent vineyards, the wine cellar, and the entrance gates. The renovation of the artificial cave, known as the Grotta, was completed last year.
The restoration of Gröbe's villa and Dolní Landhauska was financed in the past by an investor who has both significant buildings in the garden rented long-term from the municipality. Both historic houses are closed to the public for most of the year; the mentioned investor uses them for their own needs.