The leadership of Prague has canceled the toilet project at Petřín

Prague - Prague will not continue with the construction of facilities with toilets in the Great Strahov Garden on Petřín. In response to criticism from local residents, today the councilors changed the October resolution with which they approved the project in a modified form. The municipality now has to withdraw from the already concluded contract with the construction company. The councilors also approved that the city's Institute of Planning and Development (IPR) will prepare a development concept for the Petřín parks and gardens with the involvement of residents.

The project for the facilities and toilets on Petřín was being prepared by the municipality for several years, with construction planned on the site of wooden structures that the city had demolished in 2015. The municipal department for greenery already has a construction permit, awarded the contract to a supplier, and work had begun. However, after ongoing criticism from local residents, the councilors changed their minds and terminated the previously repeatedly approved project. The municipality also planned modifications to the Lobkovice Garden, this project is also on hold, and its possible form is expected to emerge from the planned conceptual study.

Two associations and several petitions were created against the projects on Petřín. According to locals, Petřín is one of the few places in the city center that has not yet been completely overwhelmed by tourism and where people can still relax. The construction above Vlašská Street would, according to critics, also disrupt the view and the valuable natural biotope of Petřín. The project has provoked intense discussions in the councils of both the municipality and Prague 1 in recent months.

In the preparation of the conceptual study, which will define the target form of the Petřín gardens, IPR will involve local residents through so-called participatory planning, according to the approved document. The preparation will include the processing of partial analyses for various areas such as heritage protection or nature conservation. The study will address parks and gardens including Růžový sad, U rozhledny, Nebozízek, Seminářská zahrada, Lobkovická zahrada, Velká strahovská zahrada, and the Kinský Garden.

The Great Strahov Garden near Strahov Monastery was founded in the early Middle Ages as a utility garden. Its area is 11 hectares. It was linked with the Petřín orchards in 2016.