Cascine Reopens to Visitors & Construction

Construction at the Cascine

Twelve years ago the popular discoteca Meccanò in Cascine Park burned down and since then the location has been abandoned. This status changed when the Park reopened on May 4 and construction began just eight days later on May 12. The park is being upgraded to include ‘smart benches,’ public bathrooms, bike access ways, and new greenery to increase shaded areas. These changes to a favorite Florentine park come just in time for phase two of the lockdown. 

The Cascine Park is the largest in the city and even referred to as the ‘green lungs of Florence.’  Regardless, the Park is a vast green space for citizens to socially distance one meter apart while enjoying th thousands of species of trees, plants, and birds which inhabit the area (see article here). 

The demolition and cleaning phases of construction are already underway. Cecilia Del Re, an environmental councilor, and the President of the District, Maurizio Sguanci, along with local technicians met and signed necessary documents to begin the renovation. All parties are excited about this highly anticipated project as their hope is to enhance the current nineteenth-century aesthetic with modern technology. 

Currently the Cascine Park contains an amphitheater and multiple fountains built in the 18th century, in addition to an open-air pool and cafe and the University of Florence’s Department of Agriculture. Upon arrival, visitors will now be welcomed with smart benches with sockets for charging phones and computers, as well as upwards of 17 new trees.

As the lockdown loosens in Florence, the Cascine along with other parks are open for locals to enjoy at a safe distance of at least one meter apart. The city is also hoping to create open-air gyms and practice areas for sports in these areas. The current construction is not the only exciting change.  (elizabeth berry)

To read more in Italian, visit Florence’s La Repubblica news site.