Ħal Għaxaq’s Green Revolution: 25,000 Sqm Park Takes Shape

As you drive through Ħal Għaxaq, a bustling town in the heart of Malta, you can’t help but notice the transformation taking place at the edge of town. A once-neglected plot of land, roughly the size of two football fields, is now a hive of activity. Bulldozers, cranes, and men in hard hats are turning this 25,000 square metre open space into something the town has long been craving – a green lung.

From Neglect to New Life

This plot, located off Triq San Ġorġ Preca, has been a blot on the scene for years. Littered with rubble and overgrown with weeds, it was a stark contrast to the neat, traditional houses that surround it. But all that is changing. The Ħal Għaxaq Local Council, in collaboration with the Ministry for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects, has embarked on an ambitious project to turn this eyesore into a vibrant public space.

What’s in Store for Ħal Għaxaq

The plans are ambitious. The open space will be transformed into a park with walking and cycling paths, children’s play areas, picnic spots, and even a small lake. There will be plenty of greenery too, with trees and plants native to Malta being planted. The council has also promised that the park will be fully accessible, with ramps and paths suitable for wheelchair users.

“We want this park to be a place where everyone can come and enjoy some fresh air and open space,” says Joe Xuereb, the mayor of Ħal Għaxaq. “It’s not just about the environment, it’s about the community. We want to create a space where people can come together, where children can play, where families can picnic.”

Challenges and Progress

The project is not without its challenges. The land is contaminated with construction waste and rubble, which needs to be cleared before any planting can begin. The council has had to hire specialist teams to deal with this, slowing down the progress of the project. But despite these setbacks, work is progressing steadily.

So far, the old rubble has been cleared, and the land has been levelled. The paths and play areas have been marked out, and the first trees have been planted. The council estimates that the park will be ready by the end of the year, just in time for Ħal Għaxaq’s traditional Christmas illuminations.

For the residents of Ħal Għaxaq, this park can’t come soon enough. “We’ve been waiting for something like this for years,” says Maria Grech, a local resident. “It’s going to make such a difference to the town. It’s not just about the park, it’s about what it represents – a cleaner, greener, more family-friendly Ħal Għaxaq.”