The modernized Warsaw Pole Mokotowskie Park was scheduled to be available at the end of 2022, it happened a year later. The completed implementation of WXCA's winning design from a competition decided in 2018 does not mean that it has been fully realized.
The 70-hectare Pole Mokotowskie is one of the capital's largest parks. The modernization, which had been underway since 2021 and cost more than 40 million zlotys, was officially completed in December 2023. As the city authorities assure, thanks to the EU investment, the Mokotow Field area has become even greener and more natural, and residents have gained new places for recreation and leisure.
Pole Mokotowskie from a bird's eye view
photo: Cezary Warś © Warsaw Greenery Board - press materials
Pole Mokotowskie Park is fully open again for residents as of today! We have completed a huge metamorphosis of one of the largest parks in Warsaw. The most important element of the investment was the detonation and greening of the large pond and the preparation of a completely new water system in the park, full of vegetation and wildlife,says Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski. - In addition to new plantings, there are even more opportunities for sports and recreation in the renovated park. We have created friendly places for recreation, taking care of the local nature and water bodies. I'm glad that this area located in the heart of the capital will serve even better for the next generation of Varsovians ," he adds.
less concrete
Pole Mokotowskie from a bird's eye view
photo: Cezary Warś © Zarząd Zieleni w Warszawie - press materials
The most important element of the investment was the naturalization of the ponds - the central point of the park. Until now, their bottom was lined with 16 thousand square meters of concrete. The concrete basin was demolished, replaced by a water system with reed vegetation, which not only delights with its appearance, but also provides shelter for the animals there. Complicated technology for purifying water from contaminants will help maintain a stable ecosystem. A closed water circulation system in the main reservoir is expected to make it enjoyable for residents all year round. The concrete removed from the ponds and crushed was used, among other things, to form the embankments dampening the park from Wawelska Street. The resulting hills were sown with grass.
more greenery
Pole Mokotowskie from a bird's eye view
Photo: Cezary Warś © Warsaw Greenery Board - press materials
Along with the reconstruction of the pond basins, their surroundings were also changed, with wooden platforms, bridges and varied forms of seating and resting places introduced. Park alleys, lighting and small architecture were modernized. Even more greenery has appeared in the park. Among the trees planted were silver and broad-leaved lindens, gray poplar, common rowan and sycamore maple. Several thousand other plants also arrived: shrubs, perennials, climbers and bulbous plants. Flower meadows were sown and lawns were established. Among other things, the new greenery can be admired in the sensory and biocenotic gardens, which was created on the site of the former MPO base.
The park is a process, not an event - a constant evolution of natural systems and variation of social activities. The park is a place for everyone: people, but also plants, animals, elements; at all times of the day, week, year. The park is formed by two symbolic houses - refuges: the House of Man and the House of Nature, whose areas intertwine like nets. The zone "between" these domains is an area of biocenotic landscape, consciously built, with features serving both man and nature, the WXCA project description reads.
At the back of the Warsaw University of Technology, a skating zone has been created, and there is a new outdoor gym, bike racks, a wobbly balance beam or natural elements for recreation, such as stumps for climbing. A new path for joggers was created as part of a project from the civic budget.
Pole Mokotowskie from a bird's eye view
Photo: Cezary Warś © Warsaw Greenery Board - press materials
A new setting was designed for the fountain in the downtown part of the park, where decorative slabs of labradorite were laid. In the southern part of the fountain, a new basin with misters and seats were created, referring in style to the other furniture in the park. Two ponds for quadrupeds were built in the Ochota and downtown parts of the park, and insect hotels were set up in clearings.
The (un)completed
The unrealized pavilion from WXCA's competition design
© UM Warsaw
However, not all of the elements that determined WXCA's win in the competition announced in 2018 were realized. We are talking about the essential elements of this concept, such as the three pavilions symbolizing the elements: water, air, earth. The thematic Pavilions of the Elements, in addition to offering food and workshops and education, were to provide opportunities for direct experience and play with the elements. None of these were realized.
reconstruction instead of renovation
visualization of the Finnish houses
© WXCA
The modernization of the Finnish houses also proved problematic. In the assumptions of the city authorities, they are to become a place of cultural and social activity, referring to the Polish school of reportage. The cottages are also planned to host international programs for female authors and writers. Due to their condition, it became necessary to demolish them, and instead of renovation - reconstruction, which has also not yet been completed.
Read also: Not only Jazdów. Finnish houses from Pole Mokotowskie will regain their luster
controversial hall
visualization of the sports center
© UM Warszawa
Modernization of the park is not the end of investments in this place. Huge controversy surrounds the plan to rebuild Skra stadium and build sports halls in its vicinity. The city abandoned the winning work of Alexander Wadas' team. A new competition was announced in 2023, which was won by the concept of Bujnowski Architects and ATJ ARCHITEKCI, which was protested by residents.
Read also: Skra - concretosis instead of a sports park among the trees
