North Cyprus’s latest national park – billed by its mastermind as the country’s “biggest and most beautiful” – is now open after the completion of work to create footpaths and cycle tracks.
Alsancak Mayor Fırat Ataser said the park, covering 186 dönüms of forest land opposite the Landing Beach monument, now offers 2km of walkways with adjacent lanes for jogging and cycling and a stone boundary wall.
He said his flagship four million TL project – funded by the Turkish Embassy and the municipality – was now entering its next phase, which would see a tender opened next month for lighting along the paths.
“We are now going to build recreational areas, and construct a water feature in what will be the centre of the park.
“Then we will be constructing kiosks, cafés and toilets, followed by children’s play areas.
“This will be followed by . . . tennis courts and a football pitch, lush green landscaped gardens, with plants, shrubs and maintenance of the surrounding pine trees.”
The news comes after a 10,000m2 park in the centre of Alsancak was inaugurated last Friday evening.
Mr Ataser said the 750,000TL facility on Salhane Sokak had fountains, pools, bridges, and walkways, open-air fitness and play areas.
“The park is bustling with different sorts of trees and flowers, different shrubs and beautifully perfumed flowers, from lavender to jasmine,” he said.
“Another main feature is a 30m-by-6m organic vegetable garden from which people will be able to eat for free, and which will be used for educational purposes.”
Prime Minister Hüseyin Özgürgün, performing the opening, said he was proud to support such a “young and dynamic” mayor who was “passionate about serving the public”, and his projects would make Alsancak a centre of attraction.
Mr Ataser said he expects seven projects, including the two parks, to come to fruition this year.
By Kerem Hasan for Cyprus Today
