In Hrušov there springs up "Stage under pears“

This year, Ekopolis Foundation supported also the reconstructions of five public spaces in towns and villages in Slovakia. The main idea of each project is public involvement to the creation of concrete public spaces beginning with the planning phase. "Stage under pears" should be created in Hrušov, Rožňava district. Körtvélyes, C.A. planned to renew some grass area in the center of the village near municipality distillery and in the seat of Euroregion Kras. There should be created some space for relax and entertainment, an open stage, benches and garden house. The part of the change will be the planting of traditional pear species.

This space is very important for the inhabitants of Hrušov. Around it there leads the main connecting route to the village and the visitor creates the first impression of the village. The project was prepared by Körtvélyes, C.A. together with local enterpreneurs. They would like to renew the space for the visitors of the event Village Days, which will take place in August 2010.

The first planning meeting took part on Saturday, February, 13, 2010 and there took place nearly 30 inhabitants. In the discussion the inhabitants agreed on extending of the space by the stage and arranged area for sitting and resting. In the future ther should also be build children´s corner, garden house and greenery.

The detailed proposition of the renovation will be elaborated by young projectants, who will evaluate the results of the survey, outputs from the first planning meeting but also the ideas of children expressed by the pictures. The second planning meeting is prepared for March, 13. At this meeting there will be presented several alternatives of the space renovation. The inhabitants of Hrušov will have the opportunity to select one of them they like the most and discuss the details of the solutions.

Five interesting projects have been supported by 5,000 Euros from Public Spaces Program 2010. In Banská Bystrica, Bátovce (Levice district), Borinka (Malacky district), Hrušov (Rožňava district), and Volkovce (Zlaté Moravce district) the people obtained an opportunity to renew their public spaces into nice and safe places.

The sixth year of Public Spaces Program was opened by Ekopolis Foundation in the cooperation with our long-term partner ČŠOB - Financial Group. Before deadline, Ekopolis Foundation obtained 28 applications from the whole Slovakia in an amount of 136,000 Euros. The topic of this year is "the renovation of the public spaces to increase the life quality of inhabitants - neighbours".

Before deadline Ekopolis Foundation received 28 applications from the whole Slovakia together in 136 000 Euros.

In local communities there take part the planning meetings, idea surveys and discussions. The objective is to know the public opinions and then to use it in the public spaces renovation process. Simultaneously, the meetings serve for learning and creating the tradition of public affairs common solutions, which are connected to the whole community.

The sixth year of Public Spaces Program 2010 is a part of activities of UrbSpace Project, which is realized with contribution of Central Europe Programme and financed by ERDF.

Public Spaces Program called PrieStory in Slovak was launched in 2005 as a brand new concept in Slovakia. It is based on the US program - Project for Public Spaces, that has been adjusted to Slovak conditions.

For more information: http://www.urbanspaces.eu/, www.ekopolis.sk/en/programs/grant-programs/public-spaces