Filenews 30 May 2025 - by Ioanna Mantziapa
The issue of the Limassol Public Garden goes deep, with Mayor Yiannis Armeftis putting it before the Municipal Council next week, in order to make a final decision on its upgrade and utilization. Today it will be examined by the Municipality's Management Committee and then it will be taken for discussion and decision making in the plenary session of the Council, accompanied by all the data and suggestions to date. An assessment of the current situation has already been carried out, as well as a public consultation. The problems faced by the area and the concerns regarding the continuation of the operation of the zoo were also put on the table.
The current state of the Public Zoo honours no-one. A huge area in the heart of Limassol's seafront, which could be a jewel of the city, remains neglected, uncared for and in poor condition for years, reminiscent of images of degraded cities.
The Mayor of Limassol gives priority to the issue, underlining the need for immediate and drastic decisions. His proposal is the transformation of the zoo into a botanical garden, with the removal of animals and the transformation of the space into a modern, open green core for the city.
What is proposed for animals
As the Mayor explained to Filenews, the animals that are currently housed in the area must be transferred to appropriate facilities, with respect to their well-being. Those of them that are domestic, it is proposed to be transferred to certified farms and places, where they will live under normal conditions. The aim of the Municipality is to create a modern botanical garden, in which some birds may remain that can be incorporated into the new model, while preserving the historical memory as it was 115 years ago.
Architectural competition and masterplan
Within the next period, an architectural competition is expected to be announced for the entire area of the public garden, with the aim of creating a comprehensive masterplan, which will cover not only the garden, but also the wider area up to the GSO.
In the meantime, it is recalled that in the context of the public consultation, the Municipality had commissioned a study to the Cyprus Centre for Environmental Research and Education (CYCERE) of the Holy Metropolis of Limassol. The Centre's proposal includes the conversion of the zoo into a "Limassol Animal Farm Park" – an urban animal park with a focus on education, breeding and caring for animals, without exposing them to cages.
