There’s now more green space in Buda, with smart benches and sports facilities, thanks to the renovation of the former Hanoi Park, renamed Függetlenségi (‘Independence’) Park. We took a stroll and tried out a few boxing moves.
Many miss it as they drive out to Lake Balaton from Budapest. The area bordered by Bocskai út, Karolina út and Nagyszőlős utca was landscaped in 1962, according to the plans of park architect Mihály Mőcsényi. It was then called Hanoi Park, which is how many locals still refer to it. György Vadász and Sándor Kiss designed the Independence Monument, a glass obelisk. It was unveiled in 1994 with the winged statue of Nike at the top.
Around the central fountain, a rest area is easily accessible from all directions. Smart benches equipped with USB chargers meet the needs of the 21st century, while a pole beaming out free WiFi over a range of 50 metres is also in place.
As the park was created as part of the Budapest 2019 - European Capital of Sport programme, a substantial outdoor gym has been created, with two pairs of rings, a sloping belly bench, ladders, a stretching tower and parallel bars, and three full-length punch bags.
Luckily, the devices also feature detailed instructions and practice sets, as well as a bench with lockable compartments where you can safely store keys, mobiles or other essentials while you exercise. Public toilets and bicycle storage have also been installed.
Thanks to the collaboration of Főkert, the park isn’t only functional and recreational, but also green. All in all, over its 6,000 square metres, 17,800 perennials and 3,325 bulbous plants have been planted around the ornamental space, as well as eight new trees to provide shade over the outdoor gym in the summer heat.
