The historic landscape of Eleja Manor Park in Jelgava Municipality, Latvia, is entering a new stage of development as the previously less-developed north-western part of the park, known as Mežaparks, is being revitalised. The work combines heritage preservation with new opportunities for recreation, nature experiences and green tourism.
A key reference for the renewal is a more than 120-year-old landscape plan created in 1905 by renowned landscape architect Georg Kuphaldt. Rather than redesigning the park from scratch, the project focuses on preserving its historic character, mature trees and existing plantings while restoring historic routes and introducing new visitor infrastructure.
As part of the development, walking paths are being restored and extended through the Mežaparks area. The new route will connect different points of interest throughout the park and provide opportunities not only for leisurely walks, but also for running and family outings.
An important new element will be a series of sensory gardens designed around the experiences of seeing, smelling and perceiving the surrounding environment. New benches, a children’s playground and a picnic area will also be created, making the park more accessible and attractive to visitors of different ages.
The improvements respond to the needs of both local residents and visitors. Eleja Manor Park is already a popular place for walking and relaxation, offering an opportunity to escape the pace of everyday life. The new infrastructure will provide families with children, runners and visitors with prams with more comfortable ways to explore the park and spend time in nature.
The renewal also continues the long-term work of Jelgava Municipality to restore and develop the historic park. One of its best-known heritage features, the Tea House dating from the early 19th century, has already been restored close to its historic appearance. Previous projects have also included the restoration of paths following historic routes, a brick wall and an exhibition hall.
The idea of developing the park as a public and interactive space was originally inspired by students of Eleja Secondary School. In 2009, their proposal won a municipal competition aimed at identifying ideas for an interactive public space in Jelgava Municipality. Since then, the municipality has gradually implemented improvements in the park through a series of projects.
The current renewal of Mežaparks is part of Interreg VI-A Latvia–Lithuania Programme 2021-2027 project aimed at developing new green tourism routes in Zemgale and Žemaitija. By improving natural and cultural heritage sites on both sides of the border, the project contributes to creating more diverse and attractive destinations for sustainable tourism.
Jelgava District Council’s contribution to the project is 173 078,12 EUR, of which 80 percent is funded by the European Regional Development Fund programme – 138 462,49 EUR.
The revitalisation of Eleja Manor Park demonstrates how historical landscape heritage can be carefully preserved while creating new opportunities for contemporary visitors. Once completed, the renewed Mežaparks will offer a combination of history, nature, sensory experiences and active recreation – strengthening Eleja’s role as an attractive green tourism destination in the Zemgale region.