Lonato Unveils €600M Green Upgrades for Parks and Public Spaces
“We want to leave more trees than we found upon our settlement.” This phrase encapsulates the “green philosophy” of the Public Works Councillor of Lonato, Emilio Baresi, who has presented the interventions scheduled for implementation over the summer. Projects already awarded for a total amount of about 600 million euros will affect the Ghiacciaia area, better known as Lonato 2, as well as the parks of Rocca and the Pozze neighborhood. More than half of the funds will nonetheless be allocated to works in the densely populated district that stretches between the Diaz nursery and the highway route.
Let’s talk about Lonato 2, with its large Piazza Giovanni XXIII. “A bike-pedestrian lane will be created that, starting from via Arcangelo da Lonato, will extend to the land near the changing rooms of the soccer field, then to the basketball court below and from there through a passage between the buildings on via Cerebotani.”
“The path will continue,” Baresi adds, “along the highway, with the creation of suitable tree planting and the arrangement of still uncultivated land sections. After crossing via Arcangelo da Lonato, the route will run behind the Santella, parallel to via Carlo Zini, eventually connecting to an existing loop. The entire stretch will be about 4 kilometers.” But that’s not all: “A playground with green facilities, equipped with an irrigation system, play equipment, and lighting will also be created to meet the neighborhood’s needs.” It should be noted that in this area, directly opposite the Diaz nursery, the public garden Goccia Verde has been open for years, initiated by the previous Lega-led administration.
Another significant project, instead driven by the Ulivo list, will be undertaken at the Parco della Rocca, which overlooks the town. A truly splendid green lung that attracts many tourists during the summer, interested in the artistic heritage of Lonato. In this case, pedestrian access points will be modified: slides will be replaced with stairs. This change will involve both visitors coming from the Cittadella and the parking lot of the Corlo.
New playground equipment will also be installed in the garden accessible from the Casa del Podestà up to the bridge of the Castle. The entire area awaits new green spaces. Finally, work will begin at the Parco delle Pozze, in the zone of new building expansion. Several construction sites operated by cooperative companies are currently building affordable housing apartments. The available area is quite large, but there are few trees.
“In this case,” explains Councillor Baresi, “we will complete the fitness trail with appropriate structures and set up an autonomous irrigation system. Make no mistake, this is not our entire green program, but just the tangible beginning of many projects we aim to create in Lonato.” When will the work start? “For the Lonato 2 area, very soon, already by the end of June, and at the latest, early July. The other projects will follow. Everything should be completed by September.”
Finally, regarding the maintenance of public green spaces, it is worth noting that the Municipal Administration has signed a new and more detailed agreement with the Community Exodus of Don Mazzi.