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When Spring Arrives, We Head for the Park

Iulia Roşca

When spring arrives, students head for the city’s green spaces, relatively few and inadequate though they are. In Crângaşi, a very busy area in the city, the amount of green space per resident is only 60 square centimeters, according to Eco-Civica, an environmental organization.

The average for the entire city of Bucharest is three square meters per resident, according to the same study which was quoted in the magazine Tabu. That’s one quarter of the generally-accepted European standard. The World Health Organization recommends 50 meters per resident to ensure physical and mental wellbeing.

In Bucharest, there is only one short bicycle track on Regina Elisabeta Bd. between the National Theatre and Law School. Because of the traffic, we swallow about 250 tones of dust and 100 tones of lead a year.

Considering all this, we’re lucky when we manage to find ourselves in one of the city’s parks, which are unexpectedly clean considering the crowds of people who use them. Whether it’s the flowers in Cişmigiu, the ducks in Titan, the lake in Herăstrău or the skate slopes in Eroilor, there’s plenty to attract us. “Breathe, read, look at kids, sunbathe, hear something besides cars and trams,” said freshman Gabriela Piţurlea.

“Meet with my friends, run, read, be with my thoughts,” said first-year history student Mara Râncu. Cybernetics sophomore Iulia Safin heads to the park to skateboard and take pictures. “We take tons of photos, I have a friend very much into art. But in parks, all around you can see people taking pictures,” she said.

Everyone has their own favorite parks. “I like Cişmigiu for the trees, the flowers, especially the magnolias — and the chess players are fun,” Râncu said. “I live nearby and I go there about three times a week. On the other hand, I find Herăstrău a more genuine park, a true oasis. There is no noise whatsoever.”

Safin has tested most parks in Bucharest. “The most popular among skaters are Eroilor, Tineretului and Herăstrău. I go to Eroilos mostly, for the atmosphere, the people and of course for the pleasure of skating,” she said. “I’d rather go there than somewhere else. There are terraces and we also hang out there.”

Piţurlea hasn’t decided on a favorite yet. “I like the small park near the French Institute, I go there to read. I also like Carol for the alleys among trees, it feels like being in the woods. It’s quiet and a little savage. Titan is fun because of the ducks on the lake,” she said.

Oana Stroe, public relations freshman, also finds his loyalties divided. “Cişmigiu is like a jewel. Carol is fun at night, when there are parties nearby, at the Roman Arenas. It gets filled with young people, you can hear music. It has a very urban aspect.” Still, students want more from city parks. “There should be some more complicated stuff for skaters, not only tracks and slopes for beginners. And walls on which we could draw graffiti,” said Safin.

“I don’t like the unclean lakes,” said Piţurlea. Râncu would like to be able to sit on the grass. “Also, it would be good if there were guards around,” she said.

Ultimul număr tipărit (mai 2007, format PDF):