PRESS RELEASE BY THE MINISTRY FOR CULTURE, LANDS AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND THE MINISTRY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, ENERGY AND PUBLIC CLEANLINESS Work is underway at a historic garden in Qrendi

Ġnien tal-Kmand in Qrendi, one of the most historically significant spaces in this locality, is being given new life through a restoration and regeneration project. This garden, which dates back to the time of the Knights, served for many years as a crucial site for water management through its reservoirs and irrigation system. Today, this garden has unique cultural and community value as an open space.

Minister for Culture, Lands and Local Government Owen Bonnici, and the Minister for the Environment, Energy and Public Cleanliness Miriam Dalli, together with Qrendi Mayor David Schembri and Deputy Mayor Anthea Sacco, visited the restoration and regeneration works currently being carried out by Project Green in collaboration with the Department of Restoration and Preservation.

Minister Owen Bonnici said, “Ġnien tal-Kmand is not only a historical garden, but also a space of fundamental importance for Qrendi. This is one of a series of projects where through restoration these places are given back to the community as public open spaces," explained Minister Bonnici.

“With the Ġnien tal-Kmand project we are giving back an environmental space that has a history in the heart of the community. This is another example — one of many ongoing projects — of how we incorporate the environment into our daily lives. These gardens and parks are also a way of highlighting the beauty of our country, enjoying our localities and appreciating time together," said Minister Miriam Dalli.

Ġnien tal-Kmand in Qrendi was built at the beginning of the 19th century by Civil Commissioner Sir Alexander Ball. The garden is divided into two parts, with pathways and citrus trees shaping the space. The project is preserving the garden's historic elements while giving it back an environmental and recreational function for the community. The works being carried out include repairs to the irrigation system, removal of weeds and general cleaning, while a maze has been created as a feature of the garden. So far, approximately 1.5 tonnes of waste have been collected. In the second phase of the project, extensive restoration work will continue, as well as the planting of trees.

The project covers an area of approximately 1,600 square metres, with an investment of more than one million euro. The main aim is to fully restore the garden so that the public can once again enjoy it, reflecting the cultural identity of the locality.