Forgotten Prague park reopens with bowling alley, gardens and Vyšehrad views

A long-neglected park tucked beside Prague's historic New Town fortifications has reopened after a major renovation, adding a new place for sports, outdoor gatherings and relaxation near Albertov.

U Hradeb park on Horská Street in Prague 2 now features a modernized Czech-style bowling alley, recreational sports areas, a community garden and a public refreshment stand. One of its biggest draws is a new rooftop terrace offering views toward Vyšehrad.

Prague 2 unveiled the revamped park last week following an extensive project intended to revive an underused green space between Albertov, Karlov and Folimanka.

The centerpiece of the renovated park is its nine-pin bowling alley, known locally as kuželky, a traditional European form of bowling that differs from the more familiar 10-pin version.

The new building was constructed on the footprint of the park's original bowling facility, preserving a sporting tradition associated with the site while adding modern amenities. It contains two lanes, new facilities and the rooftop terrace overlooking the surrounding area and Vyšehrad. A publicly accessible refreshment stand is also part of the building.

"The revival of the local bowling and sporting tradition and the construction of additional facilities have allowed us to create a place that will serve both local residents and visitors," Prague 2 Mayor Jan Korseska said in a statement.

The area surrounding the bowling alley has meanwhile been designed as a multipurpose community space. A small stage can host cultural events and neighborhood gatherings, while a quieter section of the park includes a fire pit.

In the lower part of U Hradeb, visitors can use new areas for volleyball, nohejbal — the Czech sport commonly known in English as football tennis — badminton and pétanque.

The renovation also introduces a community garden where local residents can grow herbs, fruit and vegetables. Prague 2 Deputy Mayor Jan Recman said that preserving and developing greenery was a priority during the project, which sits alongside the surviving New Town fortifications.

The location gives the reopened park a role beyond its immediate neighborhood. Situated near the university and medical buildings of Albertov, U Hradeb forms part of a wider green corridor connecting Albertov and Karlov with the popular Folimanka park below.

Korseska said the project completes another stage in efforts to better connect those areas for pedestrians and visitors. The park's reopening follows a broader trend of Prague districts renovating smaller and sometimes overlooked public spaces rather than focusing solely on the city's best-known parks.

For nearby residents and students, however, the most immediate change is simpler: a previously neglected space has returned as a usable neighborhood park, with places to play sports, meet friends, garden or sit outdoors.

The renovated park was formally opened late last week with music and a fire show, while visitors were invited to try its new sports facilities and explore the grounds.