Athenians can breathe easy and stretch their legs: plans have been drawn up for a metropolitan park that will be slightly bigger than New York's Central Park and will bring some much-needed green space to the Greek capital. The southern-Athens park will boost the total amount of Attica's green space per citizen by 60%; from an average of 2.5 m per capita to four.

The prime coastal property in Hellenikon - home to Athens airport for 30 years, up until the new Eleftherios Venizelos international airport in eastern Attica opened its doors in March 2001 - will be redeveloped as parkland.

According to an initial study undertaken by Ludwig Wassenhofen, a professor at the National Technical University of Athens, around 400 hectares (4,000 stremmata) - out of a total of 550 (5,500 stremmata) - will be transformed into green areas linked up with the seaside.

Wassenhofen's study has been forwarded to Prime Minister Costas Simitis , who has spoken favourably of its proposals requesting that they be broken down into detail. Simitis also emphasised the Hellenikon Park potential within the framework of a coastal redevelopment scheme stretching from the port city of Piraeus to Vouliagmeni.

What's more, Simitis has recently put an end to the inter-ministerial debate over the transfer of military facilities adjacent to the former airport site. Thus, by February 2003 the Hellenikon Air Force base will move to the base in Elefsina, east of Athens, making way for the public park (the Elefsina facility is also due to undergo a major upgrading). The runway at Hellenikon will remain operational until February 2002, serving civil aviation and military aircraft repairs.

Olympic provisions
According to the initial study, existing buildings of the old airport, totalling 40 hectares (400 stremmata), are likely to house a convention and exhibition centre and temporary venues for a number of Olympic sports - including hockey, badminton, basketball and fencing - in light of Athens hosting of the Games in 2004 .

FIBA, is also backing a proposal for a 15,000-seat basketball stadium at Hellenikon, while baseball and softball Olympic fields are also set to be established in the lot. Another proposal considered by the government is the staging of equestrian events in the park. A maximum of 80 hectares (800 stremmata) has also been earmarked for commercial development and "limited low-rise housing", where foreign journalists visiting Athens for the Games will most likely be accommodated.

Municipal concerns
Local authorities, however, in Hellenikon and the surrounding municipalities of Alimos, Argyroupoli and Glyfada, are not in favour of a residential zone and commercial enterprise. The four councils do not object to the plans for Olympic venues, as long as these are temporary, stressing that the park should be used solely for recreational, sports and cultural activities. Support, nevertheless has been voiced for the construction of a convention centre and a mythology theme park.

In response to citizens' concerns, Environment, Physical Planning and Public Works Minister Costas Laliotis said the residential development is necessary as it would help fund infrastructure works in the Messogeia region - poised for extensive growth prompted by the new airport in the area - as well as underdeveloped parts of western Attica.

A law covering Olympic projects refers to the proposed future use of the Hellenikon site, stating it should be set aside as a public green zone, though not exclusively. During discussion of law 2338 Laliotis had said: "Within the framework of a complete, unified plan for the creation of a metropolitan green zone, there is room for passive residential development under strict conditions and on a small scale, in order to raise necessary funds."

Additional schemes
The need for an inter-connected network of parks and recreational-cultural facilities in Attica - served by public transport allowing easy, direct access between all parks - is also underscored by local municipalities. Aiming to maximise public access to the Hellenikon Park, the Wassenhofen study suggests the creation of a tram link in concordance with broader state plans to revive the city's tram system ahead of the 2004 Games.

For its part, the Association of Greek Tourist Enterprises (SETE) sees in Hellenikon an opportunity to raise Athens profile as a tourist destination. A firm advocate of golf tourism, SETE, citing Attica's mild climate, has raised the prospect of creating a top-class 18-hole golf course at the site. The Association believes such a facility would establish Athens as an international golfing destination and prove attractive for the staging of major tournaments, in conjunction with the existing nearby Glyfada golf course.