Budapest’s newest orchard ready to welcome visitors

In a celebration of urban greenery, Budapest welcomes a flourishing addition to its landscape. The opening of the capital’s second orchard not only enriches the city’s biodiversity but also invites residents to connect with nature in the heart of Kubala László Park.

Growing green spaces

In a recent announcement on Facebook, Főkert shared the completion of Budapest’s second orchard in Kubala László Park, located in the XIII. district. This exciting green initiative follows the successful establishment of the city’s first orchard in Pünkösdfürdő Park in Óbuda last spring. The new orchard boasts a variety of fruit trees, including apple, cherry, walnut, apricot and plum, as stated in a Telex article.

Source: FB/FŐKERT

Orchard variety and sustainability

The orchard in Kubala László Park showcases a selection of trees, with an array of 24 varieties, including pears, plums, sour cherries, different types of apples, medlar, cherries, almonds and quince. What sets these trees apart is their resilience, being native and resistant varieties that require minimal intervention. They are not sprayed but are carefully pruned each spring. The orchard’s ecosystem thrives with the strategic planting of currant bushes and a sprinkling of seed mix. Beyond the fruit-bearing aspect, the orchard contributes to the local biodiversity, attracting insects and birds to the area.

Addressing social needs through orchard planting

András Zakar, the director general of the horticultural division of Budapest Public Utilities, highlighted a not-so-secret purpose behind the orchard. With rising inflation and economic challenges faced by some families in the area, the orchard provides a solution. There are signs urging responsible picking. However, the organisers trust the community to ensure the orchard remains a shared resource.

“Although the orchard is not planted for social purposes, children and adults who play football, games or bike rides can safely pick an apple or pear.”

Zakar explained.

Future plans for Budapest’s fruitful parks

This initiative isn’t confined to Kubala László Park alone. Fruit trees have found a home in other Budapest parks, such as Tabán and Gazdagrét. In Tabán, five fruit trees were planted in spring 2021, and plans include adding more in the coming years. Similarly, cherry trees have graced the Kaptató footpath in Gazdagrét, with intentions to plant more on the iconic Gellért Hill this year.

As we wrote before, barely a quarter of Hungarian forests are healthy. Consequently, it has become highly important to focus on having more green spaces throughout the country. Budapest’s commitment to urban orchards not only enriches the city’s green spaces but also addresses social and environmental needs, creating a more sustainable and accessible urban environment for all its residents. If this topic sparked your interest, read about Budapest’s park that represented Hungary in Green Cities Europe contest HERE.

Source: Telex