Pavlos Melas Metropolitan Park handed over to citizens

The 340-acre site, which served as a military camp for decades, is being transformed into the largest organised urban green space in Northern Greece, marking the completion of the first phase of a broader redevelopment programme for the former Pavlos Melas military camp and the wider regeneration of western Thessaloniki.

The inauguration ceremony is expected to be attended by senior government and local authority officials, including Minister of State Akis Skertsos, European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism Apostolos Tzitzikostas, representatives of the Region of Central Macedonia, members of parliament, and local stakeholders.

“We have waited for decades to see the Metropolitan Park of Pavlos Melas finally returned to society. It is the largest urban park in Northern Greece, and the time has finally come for its official inauguration,” said Pavlos Melas Mayor Dimitris Aslanidis. He noted, however, that the investment programme remains ongoing, as additional funding will be required to restore and repurpose more than twenty existing buildings located within the site.

Infrastructure and Environmental Impact

The first phase of the project included extensive landscaping works and the development of core infrastructure. Approximately 7,000 trees and shrubs were planted, while modern water supply, sewage, and irrigation networks were installed. New pedestrian and circulation routes were constructed, and the site’s lighting infrastructure was comprehensively upgraded.

In parallel, large quantities of construction debris and inert materials were removed, unsafe structures were demolished, and a series of safety interventions were implemented, creating the conditions necessary for the park to operate fully as a public space dedicated to recreation, sports, and outdoor activities.

The facilities include playgrounds, tennis courts, a dog park, outdoor fitness areas, and walking trails. In the coming months, tender procedures are expected to be launched for the operation of three refreshment and café facilities within the park.

New Investments and Cultural Infrastructure

The second phase of the redevelopment programme envisages the completion, by summer 2027, of the new Pavlos Melas Municipal Hall and the Museum of Refugee Hellenism, both of which are being housed in renovated buildings within the former military complex.

At the same time, the newly established “Thessalonikeon Metropolis” Museum, already operating within the site, showcases important archaeological findings uncovered during the construction of the Thessaloniki Metro. The museum is expected to further strengthen the cultural profile of the area and enhance visitor traffic.

Development Prospects for Western Thessaloniki

The creation of the Metropolitan Park forms part of a broader strategy aimed at upgrading western Thessaloniki, a district that has historically lagged behind in terms of public open spaces and large-scale urban regeneration projects.

Market observers believe that the operation of the park could support local economic activity, attract additional visitors, stimulate leisure and cultural services, and contribute to the gradual appreciation of land and property values across the wider area.

Upon completion of the subsequent development phases, the former Pavlos Melas military camp is expected to evolve into a multifunctional hub combining green space, cultural amenities, and public administration services, establishing itself as one of the most significant urban regeneration projects undertaken in Thessaloniki in recent years.