Lipótváros’s hidden green park is being reimagined

Few people know about it, but many stumble upon it by chance: Honvéd Square, lined with huge trees, is a true hidden gem in the capital’s 5th district. Named in honour of the soldiers of the 1848–49 War of Independence, it was planted with trees as early as the 19th century and used as a classic city park; however, its appearance changed several times during the 20th century – mainly due to the construction of the surrounding buildings and underground car parks.

Its current, multi-functional layout was established as part of a major, comprehensive refurbishment carried out around 2011–2012: at that time, the vegetation, paving and street furniture were completely renewed, and a playground equipped with rubber surfacing and age-appropriate play equipment (climbing frames, swings) was also created. The poor condition of this area and the impersonal nature of the square’s central features justify a rethink of the park.

Climate-conscious thinking will form the basis, with local identity at the heart of it all

 The consortium comprising VÁROS-TEAMPANNON Kereskedelmi és Szolgáltató Kft., „KÖZLEKEDÉS” Design Office Kft. and Objekt Tájépítész Iroda Szolgáltató Kft. has 330 days to rethink one of Lipótváros’s most important green spaces. According to the public procurement states that „the aim of the comprehensive regeneration of Honvéd Square is to develop the park with a community focus whilst retaining its current functions, the upgrading of the playground and sports pitch, the complete replacement of outdated equipment and surfacing, the landscaping of green spaces, the reconstruction of fences where necessary, the provision of additional seating, the refurbishment of associated facilities, and the creation of a high-quality public park and supporting infrastructure that meets today’s requirements.”

The aim of the playground’s refurbishment is, first and foremost, to encourage and strengthen a sense of community, whilst keeping local identity in mind.

The plan is specifically to install play equipment that allows several children to play together based on a shared theme (fairy tale). The adaptation of the story for the playground involves both classic play elements (drawing board, swing, sandpit, etc.) and spatial-social games that can be played and developed in relation to the space, where children can even continue the story themselves through their everyday play.

„In line with the principles of climate-conscious thinking, we plan to plant trees that will provide additional shade in an area that is already well wooded,” they write. The possibility of drilling a well to irrigate the vegetation must be investigated. In addition, the design brief includes the planning of a service room required for the operation of the playground, as well as a single-storey, accessible building equipped with toilets and a nappy-changing facility for playground users.