Landscaping completed in Eleja Manor Park's Forest Park section, restoring its historic look
Landscaping of the northwest part of Eleja Manor Park, known as the Forest Park, has finished in Jelgava Municipality, close to Bauska Municipality. The cross-border Latvia–Lithuania project added a playground, seating and sensory gardens.
Work has been completed in Jelgava Municipality, near the border with Bauska Municipality, to improve the northwest part of Eleja Manor Park, known as the Forest Park. The work was carried out under a Latvia–Lithuania cross-border cooperation programme project. Its aim was to restore the park's historic landscape and make this section more convenient for visitors, according to Jelgava Municipality.
The redevelopment was based on the 1905 plan of the Eleja Manor park by landscape architect Georg Kuphaldt and on a park management plan prepared in 2018.
What is new in the park
The area now has a children's playground, two benches with backrests, a picnic table with benches, direction signs and two information stands. Sensory gardens have also been planted to strengthen the atmosphere of the place. The municipality invites residents of Bauska Municipality to visit as well.
Restoration since 2009
Anita Škutāne, project manager and deputy head of the Projects Unit in the Development Department of the municipality's Central Administration, says the work began in 2009 with a drawing competition among local schoolchildren about creating an interactive public space. Since then the historic stone fence has been restored, the Tea House renovated, part of the historic paths reinstated, and a small bridge, information stands and an interactive object called "Conversation" installed. A sculpture titled "To Love" by sculptor Gleb Panteleyev has also been placed there. The Eleja exhibition hall opened in 2022, and since 2023 work has been under way to restore the gates and entrance bridge, with decorative sculptures, of the Eleja "Park cemetery".
About the project
The project "Discover and Feel the Green Secrets in Zemgale and Samogitia! / Green Secrets" is part of the Interreg VI-A Latvia–Lithuania programme for 2021–2027. The lead partner is the Samogitian Protected Areas Directorate in Lithuania. Jelgava and Bauska municipalities take part, along with the Joniškis Tourism and Business Information Centre and the Natural Heritage Fund. The goal is to expand sustainable and green tourism by introducing a joint route called "Green and Sensory Secrets".
Total project funding is 740,810.12 euros, of which 592,648.09 euros comes from the European Regional Development Fund. Jelgava Municipality's share is 173,078.12 euros.
