Tbilisi City Hall completes full renovation of Vera Park

Tbilisi City Hall’s Environmental Protection Service has completed the full renovation of Vera Park, with special emphasis placed on preserving and improving its existing layout and functions while introducing modern standards, the body said on Thursday.

“Our capital has regained one of its prides – Vera Park, now rehabilitated and renewed as a recreational space in the city center. Everyone remembers the difficult state of the park, but today everything has been put in order. As part of the project, underground communications were fully renovated, trees and plants were planted, and new drainage and irrigation systems were installed. All existing century-old trees were preserved, historic pavilions were restored, and the iconic belvedere with its 17-meter viewpoint has been renewed”, Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze said.

“Work is also underway on the Chess Palace, which will soon be completed and add another restored cultural heritage site to our city. I am proud that we have returned a renovated Vera Park to Tbilisi”, he added.

Located in the central part of the city, Vera Park is one of Tbilisi’s oldest and most significant recreational areas, holding both neighbourhood and city-wide importance since the early 20th century.

The renovation required in-depth research and a detailed design process carried out with active citizen involvement, making it a model case of participatory planning. The design project cost ₾700,000 ($256,923).

As a cultural heritage site, the park was not subject to major transformations. Infrastructure was upgraded and new facilities added, including children’s and sports playgrounds, a dog-walking area, pedestrian paths, a fountain, restored pavilions, a belvedere, a drinking water fountain, and an administrative building. Irrigation systems were completely replaced, a new drainage network was installed, and overhead communications were placed underground.

Particular attention was given to greenery: existing old trees were preserved, while an additional 5,131 saplings were planted and 18,000 sq.m. of lawn laid. An extra 1,000 sq.m. recreational area was arranged.

The total cost of the renovation works amounted to ₾23,484,010 ($8,619,406).