A concreted area measuring 8,870 square metres in Pembroke will be transformed into a green community garden managed by Project Green.

Excavation and pathway formation are currently underway at what is planned to become the William Harding Pembroke Community Garden. The garden will feature 100 trees, an underground reservoir and a restored rubble wall to provide a recreational space for Pembroke residents.

The works were announced by Project Green on Saturday, and the agency aims to complete the works on the garden in 2025.

The garden will also have play areas and designated picnic spots. The number of parking spaces of site will remain the same and will be surrounded by greenery to provide shade.

Cheryl Camilleri, an architect at Project Green, explained that works are at the initial phase.

“We are excavating approximately one metre below the existing ground level to provide newly planted trees with sufficient soil depth to ensure healthy growth,” she said.

“We have also begun marking out a pathway, which will be constructed from permeable materials that allow rainwater to filter through slowly.”

This accessible pathway will connect the garden from one end to the other, and retaining walls separating the higher and lower areas will be stabilised or rebuilt in certain sections to prevent erosion and soil loss during heavy rainfall.

“For irrigation, we will improve and utilise an existing connection under the road, leading from the garden to three large, historic British-era reservoirs located across from Burma Road,” Camilleri said.

Project Green currently manages a portfolio of 118 projects across Malta and Gozo. Other projects where work is currently underway include the Independence Garden in Birżebbuġa, Villa Portelli Gardens in Kalkara, the St Michael’s Hospice garden and the Serenity Garden in Santa Lucija.

Project Green has received the Planning Authority’s approval to create an open space in Triq Nerik Scerri, a site designated for development until a few months ago. The Lands Authority passed the Kirkop site to Project Green, along with three other sites in Lija, Luqa, and Ta’ Giorni, to develop a green space in an urbanised area.

A call for tenders will be issued soon. Once awarded, work will start on transforming the 1,600-square-meter plot into a multifunctional green space accommodating the Kirkop communities. Triq Nerik Scerri garden is within a 10-minute walk for approximately 300 households.

As with all of Project Green’s projects, this garden will underscore sustainability as its central theme. It will feature 59 trees to create natural shading, equivalent to a natural canopy of circa 600 square metres. Ecofriendly, porous pathways will be created around the garden for walking and bicycle use. To reinforce the eco-friendly approach of the project, Project Green expects 75% of the materials that will be used to be sustainably sourced. A water reservoir will be incorporated to ensure efficient irrigation.

Since the garden is designed to attract visitors of all ages and foster social connections, it will feature interactive play zones and a treehouse to provide a safe and engaging space for younger generations. Herb gardens and pollinator friendly areas will seek the attention of those with green fingers. Picnic benches will offer a resting spot for visitors.

Environment Minister Miriam Dalli said: “Our aim is to provide residents in each community with an open space within a ten-minute walk from home. We are working to achieve that goal. This site and the three other sites represent our strategic move to create more open spaces where buildings are permitted.”

CEO Joseph Cuschieri said: “The Kirkop garden project embodies our commitment to creating sustainable, community-focused green spaces. By transforming this site into a multifunctional park, we are not only enhancing the area’s ecological impact but also providing a welcoming space for the residents of Kirkop. This project is part of our broader mission to build greener, more liveable neighbourhoods across Malta and Gozo.”

Project Green is currently handling a portfolio of 118 projects across Malta and Gozo.

For the first time, Project Green organized Spooky Park, a Halloween-themed event at Ġnien fuq il-Glażiż in Birgu. On the evenings of November 1st and 2nd, families and children dressed in Halloween costumes came together to enjoy spooky plays, dances, and magic shows. The little ones also had fun with face painting and crafting their own eerie creations.

Projects will cover an area of about 1.7 million square meters, equivalent to 240 football fields​​

Next year, 120,000 square meters of open spaces will be regenerated as Project Green plans to complete 19 new projects.

This is part of an action plan by the Project Green agency, which is currently working on 118 projects, covering a total area equivalent to 240 football fields.

This was explained during a briefing with journalists by the Minister for the Environment, Energy, and Grand Harbour Regeneration, Miriam Dalli, together with the Chief Executive Officer of Project Green, Joseph Cuschieri. Project Green provided details about the projects that the public will benefit from in the coming months and years.

Among the projects are four sites in development zones in Ta’ Giorni San Ġiljan, Mikielang Sapiano Ħal Luqa, Merino Garden in Ħal Lija, and Triq Nerik Scerri in Ħal Kirkop. These urban spaces, totaling 8,000 square meters, were handed over to Project Green this year to be transformed into open spaces for residents.

In collaboration with various local councils through the Community Greening Grant initiative, Project Green is preparing several other spaces expected to be completed by 2025, including the Fruit Garden in Mtarfa, the Żebbuġ Zone in Ħal Għaxaq, the Eco Garden in Xewkija Gozo, and the Simar Nature Reserve in San Pawl il-Baħar.

After preparatory work and the submission of applications to the Planning Authority, physical work will begin on projects such as the open space project in Bormla (ex-AUM site), the regeneration of the San Anton Gardens in Ħ’Attard, Ġebel San Martin in Żejtun, the Pinetum in Floriana, and the first phase of the San Ġwann project.

“Project Green is moving forward with an ambitious seven-year plan. In its second year, Project Green is working on 118 different projects with the aim of creating open spaces throughout the country. This is all aimed at improving the quality of life for people. Through entities like Project Green, we are working to beautify our localities,” explained Minister Dalli.

Project Green’s CEO, Joseph Cuschieri, reiterated the agency’s commitment to achieving its goals. “We will continue to strengthen our resources and internal processes to ensure the work is carried out competently, with a structured system of governance. This includes simplifying processes and working with partners in both the public and private sectors to continue creating, regenerating, and maintaining open spaces that will benefit all families.”

Project Green is committed to keeping residents at the center of every project, from design through implementation. In partnership with Local Councils, Project Green hosts community meetings where project details are shared, and residents have the opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback.

This time, Project Green, in collaboration with the Fgura Local Council, met with residents to discuss the District Park. Project Green is proud to have received overwhelmingly positive feedback from the Fgura community. The District Park will bring a major environmental transformation, featuring more trees, areas for physical activity, cycling paths, and accessible spaces for all.

Project Green is actively planting trees at the Hospice Garden at St. Michael’s Hospice! This beautiful, inclusive space is set to be nearly complete by the end of the year, offering a peaceful retreat for patients and their families.

Minister for the Environment, Energy, and the Regeneration of the Grand Harbour Miriam Dalli, and Parliamentary Secretary for Public Cleanliness Glenn Bedingfield, visited volunteers who were actively cleaning the White Tower Bay.

The primary goal of this initiative is to raise awareness and promote public cleanliness, sending a strong message against illegal dumping. It also encourages more government bodies, voluntary organizations, and the private sector to join the national effort towards a cleaner environment.

“Protecting the environment is a responsibility we all share. Initiatives like today are not only about physical clean-ups, but also to signify a shift in mindset – a clear message that safeguarding our country starts with collective awareness and commitment. We must be proactive, not reactive, to ensure a cleaner and better environment for future generations,” said Minister Miriam Dalli.

On his part, Parliamentary Secretary Glenn Bedingfield urged citizens to actively participate in the national efforts to keep our country clean, primarily by reporting illegal waste. “To keep our country clean, there needs to be a collective effort. A day like today makes us reaffirm our commitment to our country to always maintain public cleanliness,” concluded the parliamentary secretary.

During the clean-up, all illegally dumped materials collected from the site were sorted on the spot, ensuring that any recyclable materials were properly processed. This contributes to further reducing waste sent to landfills.

‘Islands Cleanup’ organizes cleaning activities at various beaches and valleys throughout the year.

The Pjazza Victor Denaro project in Imsida, part of the Community Greening Grant, has received its permits. This initiative will transform the area into a green, pedestrian-friendly piazza featuring eco-friendly elements such as stormwater collection, a recycled wood canopy, and butterfly pillars to promote pollination.

Project Green has received approval from the Planning Authority for the Merino Garden project in Lija. This “Secret Garden” will include sensory pathways, meditation areas, and restored heritage features.

Stay tuned for Malta’s first green bus shelter!

Project Green, in collaboration with the Gżira Local Council, is bringing this pilot project to life as part of last year’s Community Greening Grant. The tender is set to be published by the end of the year.