Ukraine’s western city of Lviv allocates one of its parks for military and civilian rehabilitation

Zamarstyniv Park in the western city of Lviv will be equipped to support the rehabilitation of soldiers and civilians affected by Russian aggression, Rubryka reports.

What is the problem?

Since the outset of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February last year, many Ukrainian soldiers and civilians have suffered injuries amid the ongoing hostilities and Russian attacks. Many of these Ukrainians are in dire need of rehabilitation to regain their physical and mental well-being. In response, cities across Ukraine are developing solutions and support systems to improve rehabilitation conditions and assist those affected by the war. 

What is the solution?

The Lviv City Council announced that it would convert one of the parks into an accessible rehabilitation area with proper walking paths and sports equipment.

Zamarstyniv Park is close to the buildings of the National Rehabilitation Center NEZLAMNI, which accepts an increasing number of people injured in military operations. The city decided to use the park's potential to help the wounded recover. 

The municipality planning department reported that the city would make the park inclusive for people with limited mobility and install children's and sports playgrounds suitable for people with disabilities along the central lane.

Swings for children of different ages, balancers, sandboxes, climb walls, and even a wooden hut will also be installed in the area. Sports spaces will include table tennis tables and chess tables.

To support the infrastructure, the city will equip the park with wooden pavilions, benches, garbage cans, a drainage system, and additional drainage trays.

How does it work?

The park already has a network of recreational trails for therapeutic walking called Terrainkurs — a spa treatment method that combines climatotherapy and physical therapy. This rehabilitation approach is widespread in Europe, but not enough in Ukraine, the city council added.

Four routes totaling 6.7 km and of various difficulties will be combined with a network of inclusive paths provided by the park's major renovation project.

The estimated cost of the entire project is ₴25.8 million (over $700,000). The development budget for 2023 is ₴9.3 million (over $250,000).