Green spaces for leisure and community

In 2017, the construction of a community space, recreation and leisure centre in Fót (HU) began in the area of the abandoned Somlyói lake, following the decision of the city administration. The goal is to ensure developments that reflect residents’ needs, through local government, national and European Union funds, and the cooperation of local NGOs and local stakeholders.

In order to serve the needs of the urban population as widely as possible, the area hosts the KRESZ track and adventure park for children, a roller track, a pump track, a house for young people, a forest bike track, a promenade with rest areas, barbecues and a bistro next to the lake.

The main goal of the project is to create both a community space in nature and to sustainably develop a neglected area. 

By 2011, the Lake Somlyó area was completely abandoned as a result of the 2008 economic crisis, even though Fót in Budapest’s metropolitan area continued to grow. In 2016, the city management recognised the need for a recreation and leisure centre in Fót, and the Lake Somlyó area was redeveloped for this purpose.  

The Lake Somlyó project is carried out on repurposed unused land owned by the municipality, and coordinated by the city management company (100% owned by the municipality), with local and national resources. Therefore, it is fully controlled by democratically-elected representatives. 

Key milestones include: 

• 2017: a playground and KRESZ park created for small children. 

• 2019: a promenade and a free Adventure Park created on part of Lake Somlyó. 

• 2020: a modern pump track and a forest bike track built for juniors. 

• 2022: a roller skating rink and a youth centre built with help of grant funding, where young people can enjoy community activities even in bad weather. 

• 2022: Lake Somlyó becomes a regular venue for city events (e.g. carnival, May Day, Children's Day). 

• 2022: Tóparti Bistro opened (external enterprise). 

   

Future plans include renovating an old building in the area for school camps, a fan zone, team-building training, and public forums, with funding in progress. In collaboration with businesses and associations, the aim is create a vibrant multi-use area. 

The practice effectively addresses local challenges by approaching problems from multiple perspectives, providing many benefits to the city and its residents. 

• Strategic planning: Environmental specialists, community organisers and economic experts helped develop the Lake Somlyó area, using the city's long-term sustainability and economic goals to set priorities for the green area. 

• Community participation and social cohesion: Involving the local people from the start increases the project’s social acceptance and sustainability. The city used community forums, public consultations and questionnaires to collect public opinion and ideas to inform the planning and development process. 

• Environmental sustainability and biodiversity: Increasing green areas reduces the urban heat island effect, improves air quality, and captures carbon dioxide. 

• Economic development: Green area development supports the recovery of the local economy through tourism, hospitality and services. 

• Health and well-being: The new park facilities encourage outdoor activities such as walking, running, and cycling, promoting physical and mental health, and improving the quality of life. 

   

The integrated approach ensures sustainable and holistic green space development. 

Citizens actively participated in the project’s planning and implementation processes, so community needs were taken into account. The project was implemented transparently and with community support, which contributed to its long-term success and sustainability, as well as to community cohesion. 

Regular community meetings and public forums enabled citizens to express their opinions and ideas, and to meet decision-makers, complemented by online questionnaires. Feedback provided by residents was incorporated into the project. 

The project also involved local NGOs, entrepreneurs, social experts, social workers and community groups, as they are well aware of local needs and challenges. 

Project documents, plans and reports are publicly accessible, and regular information is also provided, for example, in newsletters, local newspapers, and on social media. 

The involvement of volunteers and youth groups, in the maintenance and development of the green spaces, increases the sense of community ownership. To celebrate the positive results together, the project team organise public events and parties for important project milestones. 

The good practice provides many local environmental, economic and social benefits, including health benefits, and contributes to sustainable urban development. 

Lake Somlyó serves as a community meeting place where local citizens can participate in joint activities, strengthening community ties. The accessible community green spaces promotes social equality, as it brings together different social strata and groups. It provides opportunities for leisure and sports activities (e.g. walking, running, cycling, and yoga), to improve the physical and mental health of residents.  

The project supports local biodiversity, by prioritising the protection and increase of wildlife. The development adds value to the surrounding properties, while Lake Somlyó attracts residents from neighbouring settlements, helping boost the local economy. 

Before the development of Lake Somlyó, there was no recreation and leisure centre in an open-air, green environment in Fót. Currently, 150-200 people on weekdays and up to 500 people on weekends take advantage of the opportunities the Lake area provides, while around 4 500 to 5 000 people come to the city events held in the park, such as May Day, Children's Day, and Sports Day. The new recreation and leisure centre provides a comfortable, airy and lively community space. 

Partnering with Fót and adopting its good practice for green community space development can bring many advantages for other cities, including efficiency, risk reduction, innovation, sustainability, and social and economic benefits.  

The adaptation of already proven practices contributes to a successful transfer and implementation of the approach. Partner cities benefit through long-term, sustainable development, the development of green infrastructure, and the improvement of the population's quality of life. 

Transfering the good practice supports: 

• The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

• The Urban Agenda for the EU’s priority themes of innovative and sustainable cities. 

• The EU Territorial Agenda 2030. 

   

Having a good strategy for the adaptation process is key. Fót can pass on its experience of defining community needs, involving residents in decision-making, and implementing actions to create green and active spaces. 

At the request of the Aktív Magyarország Agency - which supports some of the developments - the part of the concept that addresses and attracts young people was presented at a conference in Hungary in 2022.