Island Park in Piła

As late as the mid-1970s, the island between two arms of the Gwda river was a marsh that locals called Gardolina. Today it's the Island Park, about 10 hectares of greenery in the very centre of Piła that the town itself calls "the heart of Piła". In summer it hosts concerts, festivals and sports events, and the rest of the time it's a shortcut through the centre and a place for a walk by the water.

History: a park built on a swamp

The park was laid out in 1976–1978 on the initiative of Andrzej Śliwiński, then governor of the Piła province. More than 200 m³ of soil was brought onto the island and then levelled and shaped. A mill weir and a channel on the eastern side were removed, and ornamental trees and shrubs were planted. There were also plans for a viewing terrace with a rose garden, a Japanese garden and outdoor sculptures, but they were never carried out.

In May 2013, to mark 500 years since Piła received its town charter, a golden crown was placed on one of the pond's islets. That same year two wild service trees, a species endangered in Poland, were planted in the park. In 2021 a 3,000 m² skate plaza opened on the island, one of the largest in Poland, along with a skating track and sports courts.

What to see

• The square with the fountain and the covered stage in the southern part, the main venue for summer events.
• The fenced pond with two islets in the north-west, fed by water from the Gwda, with the golden crown from 2013.
• The playground in the middle of the island, on the site of a 1990s "Indian village" play area.
• The Gwda itself. Three concrete footbridges link the island to the mainland. The river is 145.1 km long and is the largest tributary of the Noteć.

Tripto tip

• Walk: cross one footbridge, follow the paths around the island along the water and return by another. It takes about half an hour.
• When to go: in summer, when the fountain and the stage are in use. Check event dates in the town's calendar.
• Rules: park regulations forbid littering, damaging facilities and disturbing birds, among other things.