The facilities were opened on September 9. “Our historic park has gained an additional attraction for Legnica residents and tourists visiting the city. It is also an important educational element,” said Mayor Tadeusz Krzakowski. “This is the result of many months of work by a large team of specialists and a sign of further transformations in the area around the palm house. There is still a great deal to be done.”
Many guests and visitors came to the park gardens in beautiful weather. There were children and young people, seniors in period-style clothing and hats, councillors and other Legnica residents. The gardens and miniature zoo made a strong impression on everyone.
“The palm house and gardens are also an excellent place for environmental education,” said Henryka Zdziech, the city gardener. “We have placed interactive educational boards here dedicated to fauna and flora. They present the history, present and future of the Legnica palm house. They show plant species that visitors can learn more about in the themed gardens, as well as the bird species that inhabit the park.”
The bird aviaries at the palm house refer to the park’s former traditions, when fallow deer, for example, could be viewed in enclosed runs. Seven aviaries are now home to golden pheasants, yellow golden pheasants, diamond pheasants, silver pheasants, Taiwan blue pheasants and grey peacock-pheasants. The last of these is probably the most sociable of them all. Its behavior practically invites visitors in. In addition to the pheasants, visitors can admire magnificent peafowl. There is a whole family: a mother, a father and two young ones.
The complex also includes specially created themed gardens and a recreational gazebo with tables, where educational classes for pupils and various meetings can be held. Six gardens have been established: a white garden; a red and purple garden, named for the dominant colors of its plants and flowers; a modern, minimalist garden; an herb garden; a rural, naturalistic garden, full of peace and quiet; and a skills garden.
In the “skills garden,” children and young people will be able to sow plants themselves—bedding flowers or vegetables—and then care for them and tend the plots. Pupils will learn the secrets of gardening in a highly visual and practical way. The site is fenced, monitored and supervised.
Young mothers Wioletta Piątek and Patrycja Woźniak-Paszkowska came with their one-year-old children. “We came to see the aviary, whose opening was announced on Facebook,” said the women from Legnica. “We are delighted. It’s great that something like this has been created here. The children will be able to see exotic birds, because they do not encounter them every day. And we can learn more thanks to the information boards here. Plus, we can relax in beautiful surroundings.”
Wiesława Habich visited the palm house with students of the University of the Third Age. “It’s great,” she said. “I saw so many beautiful flowers. I was very pleased that the sculptures made from tree trunks after the hurricane were installed here. They can be viewed in all their glory.” “A great initiative,” added I Liceum Ogólnokształcącego students Paweł Popiwczak and Mateusz Pawlak. “A place like this is very much needed. Even if only so you can come here on a date with your girlfriend.”
Also delighted was Urszula Grabowska, who moved to Tuscany, Italy, 17 years ago. She came with her family. “Every time I return to Legnica, I am impressed by how the city is changing,” Ms. Urszula admitted. “I am proud. I remember the palm house, but now it is a completely different, magical place.”
The opening of the complex was also an opportunity to present the latest publication, entitled “The Natural Assets of Legnica’s Historic City Park,” for the first time. This richly illustrated book will be distributed to schools and libraries and will also serve as a prize in competitions organized by Legnica’s media.
The cost of the investment, carried out since 2013, is estimated at approximately PLN 690,000. The city obtained approximately PLN 90,000 in funding for the project from the Wrocław Voivodeship Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management.
Plans connected with the park’s revitalization for the coming years include, among other things, restoring and expanding the palm house with additional facilities. The miniature zoo will be enlarged. The greenhouses and service buildings will be restored. They will serve both the palm house and the botanical garden.
Until the end of September, the palm house complex can be visited on weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., while on weekends it is open until 7:00 p.m.. Admission is always free.
UM Legnica/ii