Residents of Warsaw’s Żerań district are raising alarm over the deteriorating condition of the emerging Żerański Park. What was meant to be a green oasis is increasingly resembling a construction site, not a space for relaxation. Despite numerous appeals directed to the Warsaw Greenery Authority and Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski, residents say they have yet to receive any response. It appears the capital’s mayor, already indifferent to local concerns, may be aiming even higher — by ignoring the voices of all Poles.
“Our letters and interventions go unanswered, and the situation worsens by the week,” reads a letter sent to our editorial office.
According to residents, the core issue is debris left over from the former Prefab Housing Factory. Rather than being removed as outlined in the project plans, the rubble is being heaped into a single area and covered with sand in an apparent attempt to hide it. Authorities claim 300 tons of waste have been cleared, but around 10% remains — effectively creating a landfill at the heart of a publicly funded development.
“Instead of addressing the issue, the Warsaw Greenery Authority misleads the public. On its official social media accounts, it posts aesthetic photos of small ‘decorative stones’ said to commemorate the site’s industrial past. In reality, massive concrete slabs with protruding rebar are scattered throughout the park — hazardous and unsightly,” the residents write. “What’s shown online bears little resemblance to the actual state of the park. We see this as an attempt to manipulate public opinion.”
Despite the controversy, residents emphasize the park’s unique potential: Żerański Park is set to be the only park in Warsaw with a natural shoreline, offering direct access to the Żerański Canal, which leads all the way to Lake Zegrzyńskie — a body of water where Polish Olympians train. “Unfortunately, instead of creating a jewel of urban recreation, we risk ending up with a dangerous dumping ground that will bring shame to the entire city,” they warn.
Residents also point to poor planning from the very start. “First, the walking paths were laid down, and only then did they start trying to hide the debris. This kind of approach speaks to mismanagement and blatant irresponsibility in handling public funds,” they conclude.