Warsaw opens revamped Operation Tempest Park at Uprising Mound

"Operation Tempest Park is a symbolic place for everyone in Warsaw, that is why it was among the 100 projects I have promised to deliver to the residents of the capital. I'm glad we can open this park to the people today, on the eve of another anniversary of the outbreak of the Warsaw Uprising," Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski was quoted as saying in a statement released by Warsaw City Hall.

"There many places here that refer to the memorable events of 1944. But there are also new amenities: a nature trail, a bridge within trees, or a recreational area for kids. It's a place to visit, not only during this year's commemorations," the mayor added.

"Many areas in the newly revamped Operation Tempest Park refer to historical events. Those entering from Bartycka Street will find a historical exhibition devoted to the reconstruction of Warsaw," we read.

Warsaw City Hall also said that visitors will find display cases with pictures of the ruined city. "Touring the exhibition might feel like walking inside a labirynth of a destroyed city."

The Warsaw Uprising Mound, which is the central point of the park, also refers to past events. At its top, there is a two-story observation platform with the renovated symbol of the Polish Underground State - the Kotwica (which means anchor in English - edit.) which stands on the freshly renovated plinth.

Two paths lead to the top of the mound - stairs with resting spots and backlit railings, as well as newly dug ditches with crushed-brick concrete walls. "Rubble left during construction was used to give them shape. This is a reference to the history of the Mound, which was raised after the war on rubble from the capital," the city hall explained.

The ditches, whose walls will soon be covered with moss, lead straight to the nature trail fitted with benches and chairs and with plates with information about ruderal nature, pioneer plant species, and the flora and fauna of that place. The path further leads to the treetop brigde.

More than 450 young park trees have been planted as part of the revitalization as well as approximately 8,500 forest tree seedlings. Visitors will find plenty of bushes and local perennial plants. A few wild nature areas, with limited access to people, have been preserved too.

The redevelopment of the park at the foot of the Warsaw Uprising Mound cost over 24 million zlotys. The project was designed by topoScape and Archigrest, whereas Remondis carried out the construction work. Warsaw's Greenery Authority supervised the investment. The modernization of the park was launched in October 2021.

The investment was co-financed by the EU Cohesion Fund.

In further stages of the project, Warsaw's Greenery Authority also plans changes to the park entrance area.

The Warsaw Uprising Mound was formed in 1946-1950, using tons of rubble from the razed city. In 1994, on the 50th anniversary of the outbreak of the Uprising, on the initiative of former Home Army soldiers, a 15-meter-tall Kotwica was placed on the top of the hill.