Park will take up 'fraction' of Romeo Romano Gardens, minister says

The Environment Minister insisted on Tuesday that a playground will only take up a small section of Santa Venera's Romeo Romano Gardens, which is set for an upgrade.  Displaying a map of the project, Aaron Farrugia said the playground area will take up 357.3 square metres out of the 10,513 square metres of the garden area.  Photos of a proposed playground released last week provoked mixed reactions with some people raising concerns about citrus trees being uprooted, while others called for no children’s park to be created at the historic garden. “Very pleased with the response I received to the project I announced in the Romeo Romano Garden,” Farrugia posted on Tuesday, emphasising that the project will preserve the cultural heritage of the garden. The multi-million upgrade of Romeo Romano Gardens will see the restoration of historical features and a kitchen garden similar to that found behind San Anton Gardens in Attard.  Parts of the garden which are currently closed to the public will soon be made accessible through the regeneration project.  The first phase of the project, which will cost €1 million will consist of a children’s play area, a communal garden hosting gardening...