Residents of Zlín can comment on the planned revitalization of Svobody Park

Zlín - The residents of Zlín can comment on the upcoming revitalization of the Svobody Garden not far from the center of the regional city. The questionnaire is accessible via a QR code and at the web address, stated Tomáš Melzer, spokesperson for the Zlín magistrate, in today’s press release. The landscape and architectural competition for the overall revitalization of the Svobody Garden is being prepared by the office of the city architect in cooperation with the magistrate.

"We have prepared a questionnaire for the citizens of Zlín, in which they can write their comments about the revitalization of the Svobody Garden. We want to invite the people of Zlín to collaborate on the preparation of this significant intervention into the public space of the city," said architect Karel Humpola from the Office of the City Architect of Zlín.

Deputy Mayor Michal Čížek (ANO) believes that the Svobody Garden will again serve as a place for gathering, relaxation, and leisure for the residents and visitors of Zlín. "We welcome all creative and innovative ideas for creating this beautiful and useful public space," Čížek stated.

The Svobody Garden neighbors the castle and the dilapidated building of the former court. It is located at the intersection of the historic center and the modernist Baťa city. "Due to its location between Míru Square, Práce Square, the industrial area, and the railway station, a significant number of residents and visitors to Zlín pass through the paths of the castle park daily, but currently, they do not have many reasons to stay in the park. Surrounded by busy thoroughfares and its overall character, it is isolated from the surroundings and is inhabited mostly by people on the fringes of society," Melzer noted.

The history of the Svobody Garden is closely linked to the castle. In 1804, Count Klaudius Breton acquired the castle and the surrounding park of three hectares. He modified the park, today's Svobody Garden, in the English style. In 1860, the castle was purchased by Leopold Haupt, a factory owner from Brno, who opened the park to the public for the first time, but only during significant events. The estate also included a manor farm, which is now Komenský Park, a brewery later converted into a court building, and other farm buildings.

Changes occurred in the 1920s due to the rapid growth of the Baťa company and the city of Zlín. Its development was inspired by the principles of the garden city. In 1929, Tomáš Baťa bought the castle along with the adjacent buildings, opening the way for significant urban changes. These included the demolition of enclosing walls and the accessibility of the park to the public, which was meant to serve as a place for the workers to rest.