The independently elected mayor asserts that a free country deserves a free Lake Balaton beachfront, prompting the demolition of the fence and rendering one of the lake’s most splendid strands accessible without charge from the weekend.
“We didn’t speak into thin air. We turned our promises into reality. We’ve made Keszthely’s storied municipal beach, the Helikon Strand, free to all,” wrote Keszthely’s independent mayor, Gergely Tóth, alongside his video. The rickety fence that had enclosed the beach was dismantled on 1 May, transforming one of Lake Balaton’s premier bathing spots into public property.
“We want everyone to enjoy one of our nation’s most treasured and beautiful natural assets—Lake Balaton, its shores, and its refreshing waters!” declared the mayor, fulfilling an election pledge. The beach will be open to all free of charge throughout the entire season. He offered no word, however, on longer-term plans.
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Nestled in picturesque surroundings beside a cycle path, the Helikon Strand boasts vast grassy sunbathing areas spanning 20,000 square metres, a mini football pitch, a baby-changing room, children’s toilets, a playground, showers, lavatories, changing rooms, a volleyball court, a snack bar, and table-tennis tables. The mayor pledged dredging works in due course, though this will require approval from the new government. He added that not the entire fence had been removed—only the section posing no risk to swimmers or resting families.
Check out the videos of the mayor:
If you missed our previous articles about Lake Balaton – Hungary’s four-season-treasure:
Will midges swarm Lake Balaton’s shores once more this year, crawling into ears, noses, and mouths?
