Over the span of just three days, we witnessed the inauguration of three beautiful gardens. All spearheaded by the Ministry for the Environment, Energy and Regeneration of the Grand Harbour, these open spaces are located in different parts of the island, and they all aim to provide communities with green spaces that contribute to both our environmental and social well-being.

Spencer Garden in Marsa

This 11,000 square metre space has been revitalised as part of the government’s ongoing efforts to invest in green, sustainable spaces in the heart of local communities.

Speaking at the garden’s inauguration, Prime Minister Abela expressed his satisfaction with the project, highlighting the positive transformation of Marsa, a locality that has historically faced challenges.

“Tonight, we are witnessing the completion of a project in a locality I believe strongly in. A locality where past decisions were hard on the people of Marsa. Today, I am proud of a government that firmly believes in Marsa,” he said.

The garden, which is managed by the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA), is designed with sustainability at its core. It features a water storage and filtration system, alongside the planting of over 6,000 shrubs and 6,000 other plants. Additionally, the installation of solar-powered electricity generation systems further strengthens its environmental credentials.

The Minister for the Environment, Energy, and Sustainable Development Miriam Dalli emphasised the significance of the project, noting that this regeneration project represents the Governmment’s ongoing commitment to protecting the environment.

“Spencer Garden is a symbol of ERA’s work towards environmental protection in all its forms,” said the Minister, who added that this was the third garden to be inaugurated in just three days, with 40,000 square metres of new open spaces being created across Malta by the end of the year.

A Peaceful Space at Hospice Malta

A serene and therapeutic garden has just been inaugurated at the Hospice Malta facility in Santa Venera. Designed by Project Green, in collaboration with Hospice Malta, this 2,700-square-metre space provides a peaceful retreat for patients receiving palliative care. The garden was specifically created to offer moments of tranquillity for patients and their families. These meaningful memories are priceless in the face of serious illness.

Minister Dalli, along with Hospice Malta’s leadership, including Chairperson Bernardette Bonnici Kind and CEO Kenneth Delia, visited the completed garden, which was met with enthusiasm from both patients and staff. “The San Mikiel Hospice Garden exemplifies how we can create spaces that improve the quality of life for those in need of care, especially during life’s most difficult moments,” Minister Dalli remarked.

The garden includes therapeutic elements such as water features, trees, and shrubs that provide both physical and emotional comfort. Accessibility was a key design feature, with areas created for families to spend time together, including a dedicated children’s play area. To ensure the garden’s long-term sustainability, a rainwater reservoir has been installed for irrigation.

Perit Katrina Grech Mallia, the architect behind the design, explained, “We wanted to create a space that symbolises peace and inclusivity, while also serving the functional needs of a hospice garden.”

This project was funded through an investment of €1.2 million from Project Green, demonstrating a commitment to improving both the environment and the lives of those in need of care.

The Regeneration of Independence Garden in Birżebbuġa

Birżebbuġa residents now have a space that has been transformed into a safer and more accessible community hub. The regeneration work was carried out by Project Green, with the full consultation of the local council to ensure the garden would meet the needs of the community.

Minister Dalli, who visited the newly revamped space alongside local council officials, praised the project as part of a wider vision to create more open spaces across all Maltese communities. “Birżebbuġa deserves a space like this: a garden where the community can gather and which now looks beautiful in its appearance,” she commented.

The garden, which covers 1,700 square metres, had been in a dilapidated condition for years. The regeneration project included new walls, the planting of eight new trees, land levelling, and the installation of new equipment and canopies for added shelter. The accessibility of the space was also improved with the addition of ramps at the entrance.

Beverley Costa, Chief Operations Officer of Project Green, explained the importance of merging functionality with sustainability. “Our vision for Independence Garden was to create a community space that not only serves as a gathering point but also as a sanctuary for relaxation. We used sustainable materials and implemented an efficient irrigation system to respect the natural environment,” she said.

Scott Camilleri, the Mayor of Birżebbuġa, said that this project was part of a series of initiatives to improve the quality of life for residents. “Independence Garden, one of the first established gardens in the locality, needed restoration to better serve the needs of today’s community. This project is a testament to the local council’s commitment to enhancing residents’ quality of life.”

Greener Islands

These three inaugurations reflect the government’s strong commitment to creating more sustainable, accessible, and beautiful public spaces.

As Prime Minister Robert Abela stated, “We need to accelerate our work to create more spaces like Spencer Garden.”

With more projects planned for the near future, including 19 additional open spaces set to be completed next year, Malta is well on its way to creating a greener, more connected communities.