Pünkösdfürdő Park is part of a comprehensive ecological experiment with a number of innovative solutions. The area used to be a grassland without any woody vegetation, but thanks to the work of the designers and landscapers, a real biodiverse recreational paradise has been created here. It is worth visiting the park every two weeks for its’ varying vegetation.

On the northern border of Budapest, next to the Danube flood protection embankment, the 6 hectare large Pünkösdfürdő Park is more than a kilometer long and has a maximum width of 50 metres. These diameters show that the designers and lanscapers had to work with an unusual site, which was previously a natural dry grassland without any deciduous trees and shrubs, interrupted with slipways for boats and canoes. This was transformed into a beloved, unique recreational paradise with biodiverse plantings, a rain garden, a playground, and moreover Budapest's first public orchard, a community composting area, bird nest boxes, bee hotels and even much more.

The park itself is an experimental green space. Researchers of Hungarian Centre for Ecological Research frequently monitor the area, observing changes in case of pollinators and other insects, and if a plant species or variety is found to be inappropriate, it is replaced.

The designers went through every detail of the work, from the concept design to the seed mix, and the result is a unified look, visible on the information boards, waste bins and even an interesting walking trail. There are in fact two thematic trails here with different characteristics on the themes of water and biodiversity.

Dry steppe beside a river

The park is located next to the Danube, but is separated from the water by a dam, so the area is absolutely dry. Nevertheless designers have tried to create a waterfront atmosphere, using plant species that can be found in native plant communities. For example, the park contains native rock steppes species, such as Tilia tomentosa, Fraxinus ornus, Prunus mahaleb, Quercus cerris, Cornus mas, and in the shrub layer Cotinus coggygria, Viburnum lantana, and trees of the sand scrub forest, such as Ulmus minor, Pyrus pyraster and Populus alba. A total of 154 trees have been planted adding mycorrhizal products to the rootzones. There trees will provide the missing canopy layer of the park for the future.

Ornamental grasses and perennials are also planted giving spectacular design in all seasons. In some areas automatic irrigation system has been installed. Typical perennials are Aster 'Asran', Gaura lindheimeri 'Gambit White', Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna', Scabiosa ochroleuca 'Moon Dance', Verbena bonariensis, Aquilegia vulgaris var. stellata 'Ruby Port'. Ornamental grasses include Calamagrostis brachytricha, Pennisetum orientale 'Karley Rose', Panicum virgatum 'Squaw', Deschampsia cespitosa) and Schizachyrium scoparium 'Prairie Blue' are the leading species.

Where trees could not be planted due to flood protection regulations, agricultural crops such as crimson clover, and 28,000 square metres of a diverse seed mix of native meadow plants were sown. There are seven types of wildflower meadow seed mixes, including closed sand-bush meadow, semi-arid grassland, sloping steppe, two types of boggy seed mix, high border bed and arable seed mix. 

Hungarian varieties have been planted in the orchard. Some of the fruit trees beard fruits this year for the first time.

Unique built elements

In some parts of the site, slipways had previously been under water rain gardens were built to drain the water, which immediately solved the water problem.

The concrete pavement of the former slipways was recycled; locally grinded and used as the sub-base for the new barrier-free road accessible for disables. Not any soil was removed from the area; excavated soul was used for creating small slopes, viewpoints on the flat areas.

Residents of the nearby housing estates can take their organic waste to the composting station set up here, and anyone can take from the ready compost for free.

The playground is one of the most popular areas in the park. It is always buzzing with children. In response to popular demand, the sports field was rearranged with ping-pong table. The other popular place is the picnic area, where fireplaces have been set up with tables and benches, which is not common in a public park yet.

Award-winning park

Pünkösdfürdő Park was the winner of the 2023 Landscape Architecture Award in the Urban Parks and Public Gardens category of the Hungarian Association of Landscape Architects. Designers are: Adrienne Szalkai, Hajnalka Herr, Gergő Barcsay, Emese Sápi, Beatrix Vidák, Borbála Biró, Bea Golovanova, András Máté and Gábor Kruppa. The investor is the Municipality of Budapest.

The park is an urban ecological experimental area educating people for being the part of the nature, having individual responsibility for the environment, helping to understand what biodiversity and ecological way of thinking is, and why it is beneficial for urban residents mentally and physically as well.

It should be noted that since the Covid epidemic appreciation of green spaces, public parks and gardens has increased for the public. Designers and landscapers of Pünkösdfürdő Park responded well to these changes providing a model for sustainable thinking and gardening collaborating with nature. 

Text: Edina Pap

Photos: Eva Megyesi