An inspection by Momentum of the gravel placed on the picnic area in Ta' Qali shows that the soil has been rendered unsuitable for natural vegetation.

The area has been the subject of great controversy since September, when two contrasting photos were posted on the social media, one showing the park blanketed in grass, and another taken during the summer showing the site comparatively barren.

Jason Micallef, who heads the unit responsible for administering the park, had dismissed the claims as "nonsense", insisting the gravel would help curb summer dust while still allowing the grass to grow back in winter. Nothing of the sort happened, with the government now employing an expert to decide on the way forward.

Momentum said Thursday it commissioned its own inspection at the Ta'Qali picnic area from a local expert. The on-site inspection was carried out, including the excavation of several exploratory holes across the area. The findings confirmed long-standing concerns regarding the condition and composition of the soil.

The inspection revealed that the natural soil has been covered by two distinct layers of imported material, Momentum said. The upper layer consists of fine sand, beneath which lies a thin layer of fine gravel. This lower layer is heavily compacted. Such compaction effectively prevents germination, as seeds in the original soil are unable to penetrate the barrier and germinate. Based on professional experience, the only plant known to successfully grow through such a medium is aggressive running bamboo, the party said.

Running bamboo is well documented as being capable of forcing its way through tarmac, weak concrete, mortar, and even building foundations by exploiting existing cracks and gaps. While it rarely penetrates sound, thick concrete, its fast-growing rhizomes are capable of causing substantial structural disruption. No other common vegetation would reasonably be expected to grow through the compacted layers observed onsite.

"It is therefore concluded that the intervention was deliberately designed to suppress natural grass growth, unless new seeds are later deposited from above. This is consistent with the current situation observed on site," Momentum said.

The level of compaction is such that the soil has become practically impermeable to water, further inhibiting natural regeneration and healthy plant growth.

Measurements indicate that the combined depth of the sand and gravel layers is approximately 10 to 15 centimetres. Given that the affected area measures approximately 22,000 square metres, an even application of a 15-centimetre layer would require an estimated 3,300 cubic metres of material.

If the project cost amounted to 310,000 euros, this equates to a cost of just under 100 euros per cubic metre of sand, a figure that raises serious concerns regarding value for money and procurement practices, Momentum said.

There is also reason to suspect that the gravel used was not intended for landscaping purposes. Instead, it appears to be washed hard stone sand, typically imported for use in concrete production and road construction, due to its resistance to fragmentation. This type of material is not appropriate for soil rehabilitation or park landscaping. The likelihood of its use is further increased by the scarcity of suitable local stone to meet the demands of ongoing construction projects.

The works carried out have rendered the soil unsuitable for natural vegetation, compromised water permeability, and resulted in a landscape that cannot function as a healthy green public space. The evidence strongly suggests intentional suppression of grass growth through the use of inappropriate materials and excessive compaction.

In reaction to these conclusions, Momentum leader Arnold Cassola stated, "Robert Abela, we are providing this expert assessment free of charge. There is no need to spend another 9,000 euros on a further expert. What we demand, however, is that those responsible for ruining the Ta' Qali family park and misappropriating 310,000 euros return the full amount to the taxpayer and reinstate the entire area at their own expense."