What I can see

The 75 acres of Ellinikon Experience Park are the beginning and a very small part of the final green park of approximately 2000 acres. When completed, it will be one of the largest coastal parks in the world. It is located at the old Athens airport, which has been transformed into one of the largest urban regeneration projects globally. The Ellinikon Experience Park is an open space for relaxation, activities and play. The choreographed fountain is a reference point. The park also has 3 squares, the Mediterranean “Zen Garden”, the Children’s Forest with wooden toys and structures, a fitness area and the Experience Centre, which is a covered space including a hi-tech interactive exhibition about the entire project. In addition, various activities (e.g. yoga sessions) and cultural events often take place in the park.

What I can't see

The completion of the project will last many years and will create an environmentally friendly city within the city, according to what the construction group promises. It will include luxury homes, shopping malls, a 45km network of trails, 444 acres of sports fields and a 12km cultural route through monuments, antiquities and listed buildings. The Hellinikon airport was the international airport of Athens until 2001. Its construction began before World War II. After the war, it was used by the US Air Force and gradually evolved into a civilian airport with 2 terminals. For the Athens Olympics in 2004, 2 baseball fields, an indoor basketball court, an indoor fencing area and the Canoe Kayak Slalom Centre were built. It took almost 20 years to reach a decision regarding the utilisation of the space and the form it would take and also to overcome obstacles and difficulties regarding archaeological findings, the existing buildings and the uses that would follow. There were strong reactions from residents and environmental organizations, so that the project would ensure the maximum possible green coverage, free access to the beach, the cost containment, the protection of antiquities and architecturally important buildings and the guarantee of the public character of the space. At the same time, the competition for the project was not sufficiently fruitful in relation to the initial ambitions. In the end, it was undertaken by a well-known Greek construction group.

Info

• Address: Former Elliniko airport
• Phone: +30 2162020900
• Website: https://experiencepark.theellinikon.com.gr/

Bibliography