Between 2022 and 2024, people in Malta will officially have more than 325,000 square metres of new or regenerated green open spaces in Malta and Gozo.

Through an EU-funded investment, over 135,000 square metres of green open spaces will get a new lease of life with four regeneration and afforestation projects in Fgura, Bormla, Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq, and Birżebbuġa.

‘Project Green’ officials explained that through these EU funds and other government-funded projects announced earlier this year, works on more than 215,000 square metres of open spaces across Malta and Gozo will be in progress during 2024.

In fact, over the past year and 10 months, more than 110,000 square metres of green spaces have been opened to the public. This means that between 2022 and 2024, people will have access to more than 325,000 square metres of additional green areas, equivalent to approximately 54 football grounds.

The two largest projects among the four EU-funded investments are located in Fgura and Bormla.

In Fgura, a large area abutting the Cottonera fortifications, which had been closed off for many years, will be transformed into a new public park. This transformation will include ecological conservation works, new pathways, and recreational facilities for all the family, including picnic areas.

On the other side of the fortifications, in Bormla, the second project announced involves the regeneration of Kottoner Gardens, turning it into an innovative park promoting active lifestyles. The park will feature cycling tracks and other amenities, as well as dog-friendly areas. These two large open spaces will be connected to San Klement Park nearby to form the largest park in southern Malta.

The project at Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq will include a picnic area, walking trails, a playground, and an open-air theatre. The area’s existing indigenous trees will be conserved as new trees and shrubs are planted to enrich the area's biodiversity.

In Birżebbuġa, the agency will double the size of the Bengħajsa Family Park, which opened this year, with a new area that will include more trees and other sustainable elements, such as bicycle paths for children.

The Environment and Resources Authority is also currently working on the rehabilitation of Spencer Garden in Floriana while Ambjent Malta is creating a new eco garden in Mosta. WasteServ is also working on transforming the former Marsaskala waste plant into a new family park.