Prague unveils new park and revamped playground as city expands green spaces

Prague is stepping up its commitment to green spaces with the opening of a new riverside park and the reopening of a newly renovated playground.

Park U Vody, a fresh addition to the Holešovice district along the Vltava River, and the revamped Koníček playground in Stromovka park offer locals and visitors more places to relax and play. Both projects blend innovative design with natural elements to create unique environments in the Czech capital.

Park U Vody, which translates to “By the Water,” officially opened on September 5, 2024. Situated on the Vltava River’s banks, this new park stands apart from typical urban green spaces with its distinctive industrial style. Think concrete benches, metal railings, and solid wooden sleepers—all materials chosen to withstand the area’s periodic flooding. The park’s name is a nod to its proximity to the water and the challenges that come with it.

The park’s design was the vision of the landscape architecture studio YYYY, which aimed to preserve the gritty charm of the site, which was once home to the old Holešovice harbor railway. The park incorporates relics from its industrial past—like disused rail tracks, traffic lights, and pieces of old concrete—into its landscape.

“Unlike its older brothers, it does not have the character of romantic parks with ties to the center of Prague, but is located on its periphery,” explains architect Tereza Rapsová, highlighting the park’s unique position.

Park U Vody is part of a larger urban renewal initiative to transform the Trojská kotlina region into a “suburban park”—a space that balances ecological, social, and economic activities to benefit Prague's residents.

The Koníček playground in Stromovka has been given a fresh lease of life. Unveiled at the start of the school year, it features unique sculptures by academic sculptor Alexandra Koláčková and has undergone a significant renovation. Starting in April 2024, the upgrade included replacing worn-out surfaces, updating play equipment, and restoring the surrounding greenery—a project that cost nearly CZK 16 million.

The playground now features new swings, sandpits, ground trampolines, and an extensive climbing forest designed to appeal to Prague’s youngest residents. For parents, new solid oak benches provide a comfortable spot to watch over their children. The renovation has also extended to the surrounding park, with updated grassy areas and resurfaced paths creating a smooth, scenic loop around the playground.

“This playground, with its artistic sculptures, can once again serve the smallest visitors,” said Jana Komrsková, Deputy Mayor for the Environment and Climate Plan. She noted that the Koníček playground is the second in the park to undergo a complete overhaul, following the Kaštánek playground, which reopened earlier this year.