Artificial Nature

As I spend more time in Tirana, I find I like it better and better. This city has so much going for it and as I explore more, I find more to like.

The last few days have been rainy. That happens, right. You can't have sunshine all the time. Where would you put it? But on Monday, we had a very lovely day. And I took a walk down to a huge park in the southern part of the city, a park which, like one of T.S. Eliot's cats, has three names. Ostensibly, it is the Grand Park of Tirana.

The Grand Park of Tirana is built around a large lake. And while there is a lot of green space around the lake, waterbirds, and other wonders of nature, the lake itself is not natural. You know how I know it wasn't created by nature? Because the name of the lake is The Artificial Lake of Tirana. (In Albanian it is Liqeni Artificial i Tiranës, but the English name I gave is the literal translation.) Remember how I said the park has three names. In addition to the Grand Park of Tirana, most people call it Tirana Park. And its third name is The Park on the Artificial Lake. I guess if you are going to build an artificial lake, you want there to be no artifice about its artificiality. It don't think it could be more plain.

For being artificial, it looks like it's really there!

There is a great path you can follow around the lake. You have choices of walking on the paved path or the spongy turfy path. And in many places there is a path that goes right along the shore that is a dirt path through trees. The lake does have an area for entering to swim. Around the park are some restaurants, particularly near parts of the lake. There are playgrounds for children and also areas with exercise structures for adults. Chin ups, anyone?

I'm sure half the apartments have a great view. Is the other half jealous?

In a few places, the road comes right beside the lake, and there are some beautiful high rise apartment buildings built near its shore. This is a bit controversial. The city has proposed plans to build more such apartments along the lake, but many citizens oppose this. They don't want to lose their green space. I completely understand their point of view. It is so nice for residents of a city to still be able to have that feel of hiking in nature. Sure, they could travel outside of the city, but isn't it great to also have the option in the city, a place you can walk to or reach by bus?

The Chinese Pavilion is a gift from... If you guessed China, bonus points for you

I think one of the challenges in urban planning is balancing green spaces with construction. Personally, I hope Tirana will preserve the beautiful park it has. It is very clearly loved and used by its residents. I saw dozens of other people using the path, and this was on a weekday. So it is not a waste of space by any means. But, as I'm sure you've figured out, my opinion doesn't matter. I don't get a vote, literally! I'm not a citizen. I'm here today, gone tomorrow.

Comfy backrest, protection from the sun, and there are USB charging ports.

So I guess I better enjoy the artificial nature while I am here. Because maybe next time I come to Tirana, there will be less nature and, it may have moved on to a fourth name in a fashion similar to that of Prince: The Residential District Formerly Known as the Park on the Artificial Lake. Try fitting that on the map!