Czech and Polish Těšín want to have a common relaxation zone

Ostrava - The border towns of Český Těšín in the Karviná region and neighboring Polish Cieszyn, which are divided by a river, want to jointly build an urban relaxation zone on both banks of the Olše River. They have already secured funding from European funds for the architectural study of the project "Garden of Two Banks," said the deputy mayor of Český Těšín, Vít Slováček, to ČTK today.
The banks are to be connected by a footbridge, and the design of the relaxation zone should be decided by the residents themselves, whose ideas the architects should follow in designing the area. "According to the joint project with the Polish side, a survey will be conducted among citizens this year, which will serve as the basis for the project's development. Construction is expected to start in the spring of next year," Slováček noted.
He added that the conditions for the project are ideal. On both sides of the river, there is a several-kilometer strip lined with old trees. On the Polish side, there is also a camping site with a pond and a pedal boat rental.
The towns were inspired by a similar project on the Franco-German border. According to Slováček, the main idea of the project is primarily to ensure that people from both countries are in closer contact and do not feel the strict border that divides the two countries.
Český Těšín and Cieszyn also want to further connect culturally. They have secured three million crowns from European funds this year for the joint organization and promotion of festivals and concerts.
The former capital of the Duchy of Teschen has divided the Olše River into two towns in two states since 1920.