Slovenia’s Prevalje opens new Lake Park after 2023 flood devastation

Prevalje, a small town in the Koroška region in northern Slovenia, was badly hit by massive floods in August 2023.

The community is still working to repair the damage, but thanks to a new park, it is becoming an even more inviting place to live and visit than it was before the floods, CE Report quotes The Slovenia Times.

Park Jezero (Lake Park) is a modern public space built on a 3.5-hectare site between the local primary school, kindergarten, church and retirement home, close to the centre of the town of 4,600 people.

It was designed around a local legend about a lake that once existed in the area: its central feature is a newly created lake surrounded by landscaped paths and green spaces. A café overlooking the water is expected to become a natural meeting point for visitors and locals alike.

The project transformed what was previously an underused area into a recreational hub. Children's playgrounds, exercise stations, a small zip line and a pétanque court are scattered throughout the grounds, while broad walking paths encourage leisurely strolls.

Designed for everyday use

Municipal officials say the park was conceived as a place that can be used throughout the day by residents and visitors alike, offering extensive green areas and facilities for recreation, relaxation and community events.

Part of the existing tree cover was preserved, while new plants have been added across the site. The park's design also leaves room for future additions and upgrades.

Mayor Matic Tasič said the municipality hopes the park will become a lively gathering place rather than merely a landscaped attraction.

"We want the park to be alive. It is intended for everyone, not only the residents of Prevalje," he said during a presentation of the project.

Designed by Ljubljana-based architectural studio Jereb and Budja Architects, the park incorporates several automated systems intended to reduce maintenance work and costs.

Both lawn mowing and irrigation are automated, helping maintain the extensive green areas while reducing labour demands.

A gift to the community

The €4.2 million project is expected to qualify for a million euros in regional green infrastructure funding, but the bulk of the funds, €3 million, has come from an anonymous benefactor originally from Prevalje.

The donor has previously contributed to several major projects in the town, including a climbing centre that opened in late 2023, just months after the floods.

According to Mayor Tasič, the same individual also donated around €3 million following the devastating floods, helping finance infrastructure repairs and providing direct, no-strings-attached support to affected residents.

Tasič publicly thanked the benefactor, describing the contribution as an extraordinary act of generosity that has left a lasting mark on the community.

Photo Wikipedia