Ústí nad Orlicí is considering changes to Kociánka Park, possibly removing part of the culverts

Ústí nad Orlicí - The city of Ústí nad Orlicí is considering removing part of the concrete rings in the Kociánka relaxation zone. Trees and other greenery are planted in them. However, people have long complained that it is difficult to pass through there with a stroller. This was stated by city architect Petra Coufal Skalická to ČTK. The project sparked controversy when it was created in 2009 and 2010, with some people protesting against it, while others liked it.

"I would like to try to make Kociánka more accessible for people with strollers, as citizens have complained about this for a long time. They can't get through with a stroller. Or if someone is on crutches, they can't walk through the park, only along the road, which from today’s perspective, considering how parks and squares are designed, is not entirely correct," said the architect.

In the park, there are large and smaller rings made of concrete with a granite edging all around. They serve as planters. Not all greenery in the rings is thriving. The city is considering removing the smaller concrete objects. However, everything is still at the beginning, according to the architect; first, she will study the project plans and determine the current maintenance costs. Only after that can she approach the proposal's author, who holds the copyright.

"A decision will be made in the autumn of this year. It is not definitive. This topic remains alive for us even after years. From the very beginning, it has sparked aversion. One group points out that there are so many rings that it is difficult to walk through the space. Some rings are movable and could potentially be relocated, as they only have summer planting in them. The space could be ventilated," said Mayor Petr Hájek (Oušťáci).

According to Hájek, no changes will occur this year, probably not until next year if the city decides to proceed. Kociánka, located in front of the cultural house and the basic art school, was completed by the town hall in October 2010 at a cost of 62 million crowns, with 37 million crowns funded by EU grants.

Kociánka has had many opponents since its inception, proposed by Přemysl Kokeš. Opposition councilors, for example, challenged the building permit. They were bothered, among other things, by the project's expense. Debates also arose about the fact that Smetanova Street, which leads into Kociánka, should be exclusively for pedestrians. Due to increased traffic, this did not succeed. Cars can pass through the street, but only slowly.