An area of approximately 750 square metres in Ħal Lija, which had been earmarked for development, has been transformed into Ġnien il-Larinġ thanks to the work carried out by Project Green, providing residents with an open space instead of development. Ġnien il-Larinġ is located within a 10-minute walk of approximately 1,264 residents living in the surrounding area.
The open space was inaugurated by the Minister for the Environment, Miriam Dalli, and the Project Green team, together with the mayor of Lija, Anthony Dalli, and members of the local council, the government said Saturday.
As part of the preparatory works, approximately 15 tonnes of waste were removed from the site, allowing the project to proceed. New pathways were introduced to improve accessibility for all. As part of the works, a loggia with sanitary facilities was constructed, while new resting areas were also introduced. These interventions transformed a site inaccessible to the public into a quality open space for the community.
The aim of the project was to reflect traditional Maltese community life, particularly that of Ħal Lija, where residents traditionally gather in the streets to socialise. The garden was therefore designed with a strong sense of community, while providing a safer and more comfortable environment where people can meet, relax, and interact.
The village of Lija is known for its numerous citrus trees, which inspired the name Ġnien il-Larinġ. The garden already featured several citrus trees, and as part of the project, 25 additional trees were planted to further enhance the site's distinctive character and provide more shade and space for relaxation. A further 900 plants and shrubs were planted throughout the garden, providing fragrance and a variety of colours, creating a richer sensory experience and a more relaxing environment for the community and visitors. These include aromatic plants such as lavender, rosemary, sage, and thyme, whose fragrance and natural beauty further enhance the garden's character.
During the inauguration, Minister Miriam Dalli highlighted the importance of returning the garden to the public instead of seeing the site developed. "Today, we are giving an open space back to the public instead of seeing this site developed. Park after park, we are continuing to implement our vision for our communities, where more families can enjoy open spaces. Our aim is for more people to go out and enjoy these open spaces, socialise while spending time relaxing in a safe and peaceful environment," Minister Dalli said.
Head of Design at Project Green, Benjamin Vassallo, remarked that one of the project's objectives was to restore important features that enhance the garden's character. "Historic wells were identified at Ġnien il-Larinġ, which were carefully restored and brought back to life with the aim of using them for the irrigation of the garden, while safeguarding the site's authentic character. The garden also features sensory pathways designed with natural materials such as pebbles, which stimulate pressure points as you walk and provide a therapeutic experience. Today, we are seeing an open garden, after this site had remained closed for many years. To further complement the area, we also installed an iron fence, typically found in the heart of Maltese villages," said Benjamin Vassallo.
Lija mayor Anthony Dalli thanked Project Green for its work in transforming what was once an abandoned plot of land into an open public space. "Through Project Green, we have seen how a neglected garden, which had accumulated waste, has now undergone a complete transformation into a garden filled with citrus trees, for which this village is so well known. I encourage the residents of Ħal Lija to visit Ġnien il-Larinġ and take care of it," said Mayor Anthony Dalli.