A regeneration project of the city park in Starachowice became the subject of a design competition in 2017. The functional programme of the winning entry was vastly informed by the engagement with the local residents preceding the competition whilst the presence of a mysterious shaft named ‘Herkules’ and ferruginous springs sparked the concept for the project narrative, led by the thread of iron, water and forest. The story was already there - we just helped to get it heard. The bold execution of clean lines, weathered steel, timber and concrete defines the design language - reflecting the local character and natural resources through their creative reinterpretation. The park has been reinvigorated by the introduction of new activity zones and quiet zones dotted across the park, inscribed in its wooded setting. Residents and visitors can now enjoy play features and sports activity routes for jogging and walking. The educational experience has been emphasised through the introduction of discovery trails and boardwalks across the wetlands as well as observation decks, providing opportunities to admire the views across the river valley below and to watch the life in the woodland park. The biodiversity of the park has been managed and reinforced by the eradication of invasive plant species and the introduction of habitats informed by the local flora. New themed gardens have been introduced and sympathetically married with the local vegetation through the conscious use of many native species in the planting scheme. The regeneration of the park enabled the local residents to use this space again. Design interventions reanimated the park and provided an offer of universal activities for everyone. The interpretative landscape design in some parts bolstered the natural and cultural identity of the place, whilst leaving others inaccessible allowed nature to perform its priceless ecosystem functions in the middle of the city.
