At Dar il-Kaptan, a voluntary organisation that provides respite services to persons with disability, as well as support to their families, Parliamentary Secretary for Public Works Omar Farrugia officially inaugurated Marcel Pisani Garden, a new open and green space for over 240 persons with disability.
The garden is named after Marcel Pisani, born in 1951 and passed away in 2017 after a battle with cancer, was the father of two children with disability. He dedicated his life to the disability sector and was one of the key founders of the first support group for parents of children with disabilities – the National Parents’ Society of Persons with Disability.
The parliamentary secretary stated that, “The inauguration of Marcel Pisani Garden at Dar il-Kaptan is not just the opening of a new open space, but a symbolic and concrete gesture that shows how politics can truly be humane when the dignity of the individual is placed at the centre of every decision.”
He remarked that Marcel Pisani Garden will serve as a monument through which several sectors, namely the environment, the social aspect, and inclusion at large, come together, sectors that are being given priority in the work of the Government and the Public Works Department.
The parliamentary secretary concluded by saying that, “This sustainable investment not only fosters a better environment but also brings with it a sense of respect, inclusion, and better quality of life for more than 240 persons with disability.”
Martin Saliba, Chairman of Dar il-Kaptan, expressed his gratitude to the Department of Public Works for their efforts in making this project possible. He emphasised that through the Marcel Pisani Garden, individuals with disabilities who utilise the services of Dar il-Kaptan, along with their families, now have a safe and sustainable space where they can spend quality time together.
With an investment of half a million euros, the first phase of the project included the redesign of this open space. Following this phase, several trees and shrubs were planted, new paving was laid to suit the surroundings, and walkways were created throughout the area. These improvements are complemented by outdoor furniture and modern recreational and exercise equipment. New lanterns with energy-efficient lighting were installed to better illuminate the area, along with a new irrigation system for the plants and trees.
The regeneration project of this open space at the heart of Dar il-Kaptan, forms part of a broader series of open space projects being carried out by the Public Works Department across the country. These include two open spaces in Ħaż-Żebbuġ, as well as others in Mosta, Mqabba, and Ħal Kirkop, among other localities.